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Everyone knows that crocuses are heralds of
spring. That's probably why most people are unaware that many of the
best crocuses for the garden flower in autumn. The fall-blooming
crocuses (not to be confused with autumn crocus, a common name often
used for Colchicum) encompass dozens of species, collectively
flowering from August to December. Among them are such notables as
saffron crocus (C. sativus) and its ancestors; C.
speciosus, perhaps the largest-flowered (as well as
among
the hardiest) of the genus; C. kotschyanus, one of
the best crocuses for naturalizing; and C. niveus, in
our opinion the most beautiful white-flowered crocus species. Like
their spring-blooming kin, they are great for garden nooks or for
carpeting borders or lawns; they generally prefer well-drained,
humus-rich soils and ample sun (although some take well to partial
shade); and they may require protection from rodents. But they diverge
from the spring-bloomers in their predilection for flower colors other
than yellow. |
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 Crocus cancellatus
ssp. cancellatus ~ Large, lilac-blue, dramatically
purple-feathered flowers emerge in late September, immediately followed
by the leaves. One of the earliest and showiest fall crocuses, and
reasonably hardy in well-drained soil. Mediterranean; Turkey to N
Israel. Zone 6.
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1/$2.50 |
 Crocus goulimyi var. leucanthus AH.0183 ~
A beautiful white-flowered form of one of the most beautiful croci. Some flowers may have faint lilac staining, but are none the less lovely for it. Mediterranean; Greece. Zone 5. AGM Enter quantity:
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1/$6 |
| Crocus kotschyanus
ssp. kotschyanus HKEP.9317
~ No, this isn't one of those new nonsense cultivar names that trash botanical nomenclature for the purpose of maximizing profit (there - got that off our chest); it's the collector's number for a highly meritorious clone recently collected and introduced by crocophiles Helmut Kerndorff and Erich Pasche. Not only does it
flaunt larger flowers than any other clone, but it also spreads by
stolons to form colonies. Highly desirable. Steppe. Zone 5.
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1/$7 |
 Crocus longiflorus
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A favorite of Louise Beebe Wilder for "its bright, gay flower that adds
to its warm pinkish lilac coloring, yellow throat, ands scarlet divided
stigmata, a delicious scent." The leaves emerge with the flowers in
October and November. A warm, sunny spot suits it best. Mediterranean;
Italy & Malta. Zone 5/6. AGM
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1/$6 |
| Crocus niveus VV.KA.2312
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Large snowy flowers with vividly contrasting orange-red styles (a stylistic triumph if ever there was one) arise on stout flower tubes in mid-October, casting the scent of appleblossoms and luring hungry late-season bees. This is a splendid selection of one of our favorite fall-blooming crocuses. Mediterranean; S Greece. Zone 6. Enter quantity:
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1/$8 |
 Crocus pulchellus ~ "Well named," says Elizabeth Lawrence, "for the flowers are so adorable that it is hard to describe them without sounding foolish." Well, here goes. Rounded, fragrant, lilac-blue, orange-throated, violet-veined, 1.5-inch goblets, on white "stems" in October. Robust, self-sowing freely and thriving in sun or semi-shade. Spring leaves. Mediterranean/modified continental; Balkans to Turkey. Zone 5/6. AGM
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1/$2.50 |
| Crocus pulchellus
'Inspiration' ~ This gorgeous, robust selection – whose bright blue, orange-throated flowers echo the October sky – would probably have done nothing to dampen Elizabeth Lawrence's ardor for the species (see above). It flourishes and often self-sows in sun or semi-shade. Mediterranean/modified continental; Balkans to Turkey. Zone 5/6.
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1/$6 |
| Crocus pulchellus
'Michael Hoog' ~ The largest-flowered, most vigorous white clone, this beautiful selection is also one of the latest blooming, from late October into November. Zone 5/6.
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1/$6 |
| Crocus sativus ~
We have chased down a superior domestic strain of saffron, which we are delighted to introduce in this, our tenth catalog (or is it the eleventh?). The beautiful pale lilac-purple flowers of this long-cultivated species are prized for their toothsome stigmas and styles (although keep in mind that it takes the dried styles of more than 4,000 flowers to produce 1 ounce of seasoning). But it is equally valuable (although perhaps not in the literal sense) as an ornamental plant. A natural for the herb or kitchen garden, it requires rich, well-drained soil, periodic division, and deep planting to do its best. Mediterranean. Zone 5.
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1/$0.70 |
| Crocus sativus
'Cashmerianus' hort. ~ Freer of flower than garden-variety saffron,
especially in cooler climes, this selection makes a superior choice for
northern and maritime gardens.
Mediterranean. Zone 5.
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1/$1.50 |
| The Incredible Edibles (saffron collection) ~ With apologies to the purveyors of gallinaceous ova (or hen's eggs, as we call them down on the farm) – we offer here 10 corms each of C. sativus and C. sativus 'Cashmerianus'. Either way you'll grow enough saffron for at least one loaf of saffron bread.
Zone 5/6.
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1/$20 |
 Crocus speciosus
ssp. xantholaimos ~ Compared to others of this species, this recently discovered Turkish subspecies is distinguished by smaller (rock gardeners, take note), later,
lavender-blue, yellow-throated flowers, their segments liberally traced
with darker veining. A very good increaser and "doer." Modified continental; N Turkey. Zone 5.
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1/$6 |
| Crocus speciosus
'Aino' ~ The color of this recent introduction is as deep as the cultivar 'Oxonian', but unlike that selection it stands up well to weather (guarantee excludes tornadoes, hurricanes, and grapefruit-size hailstones).
Zone 3. |
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1/$3 |
 Crocus speciosus
'Albus' ~ Although nearly a century old, this beautiful cultivar is
still unexcelled. Large, white, yellow-throated flowers tasseled with
orange, many-divided stigmas. Late-blooming; November. Indispensable.
Zone 3.
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1/$2.50 |