Very soon a spectacular fall flower with many names will be available in garden centres. It's usually called Autumn Crocus after its flowering time and the shape of its large, gobletshaped flowers in purplepink, mauve or white.
Old-time names include: Naked Ladies and Naked Boys because the flowers usually emerge before the leaves. Sometimes it's called Wonder Bulb since it's capable of flowering when bare bulbs are left on a windowsill. Botanically, it's called colchicum.
Because it's beautiful, easy to grow, tolerant of adversity and adaptable to most variations of sun and shade, it's a wonderful asset for any garden with average soil. This is one of the plants that survives for years in old, untended gardens. Though colchicum bulbs aren't cheap, they're great value. They're long-flowering and increase quickly into large mats without adventuring into unwanted places.
The two extreme situations that can kill them are dry, dense shade and swampy or flooded conditions. Their ideal situation is a few hours of sun daily and well-drained soil. The time when water is needed is whenever leaves are showing. Luckily, this is usually when our climate supplies lots.
During August, gardeners who want Autumn Crocus for their garden will need to move fast to acquire them. Once spring bulbs arrive the autumn bulbs either sell out or vanish from stock.
It's also important to plant them before leaves begin to grow and they should never be moved while leaves are visible. I tried this once as an experiment and it took several years for flowers to re-appear.
All colchicum are hardy in this climate. They accept acid or alkaline soil, but can have trouble in nutritious soil. Bonemeal is good nourishment for them.
Easily available colchicum include Colchicum speciosum hybrids, such as The Giant, which is very tall, mauve and white-throated and Water Lily, a double pink that's inclined to flop. Another popular bulb is Colchicum autumnale, a smaller, laterblooming white version with white stems. Earlier blooms lean over and become a white mat surrounding the later, upright flowers.
Garden club plant sales are a good place for gardeners seeking unusual colchicum bulbs.
Colchicum cilicium is fragrant (if you can bend down that far). This is said to come true from seed (but seedlings take up to five years to flower). One of the most prolific bloomers is Lilac Wonder an assertive pink. Autumn Queen can be found in catalogues and is described as a deep purple.
Seed can be found on the soil at the base of the leaves in spring, but collecting it needs care and latex gloves. Colchicum is very poisonous.
