Odyssey Bulbs FALL 2008 CATALOG

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COLCHICUM

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Few "bulbs" are more valuable and less appreciated than these. The rather unfortunate common name refers to the general resemblance of most colchicums to an oversized, fall-blooming crocus, but in fact the two are quite distant both genetically and ornamentally. The genus is best known to gardeners in the form of the large fall-blooming hybrids such as 'Waterlily', and these are indeed showy, durable, unimpeachable ornamentals, bringing a welcome splash of color to the garden at a time when it is all too often lacking. Far less known and equally deserving, however, are the many gardenworthy species (as well as some of the best hybrids). The glorious diversity of the genus encompasses not only the fall-blooming giants, but also spring-bloomers, summer-bloomers, and "dwarfs" (naturals for the rock garden); not only species from cold-winter areas, but also numerous Mediterranean species which relish milder winters and porous soils. A garden that employs this full diversity can boast nearly constant colchicum bloom from midsummer to spring, in habitats ranging from rockery to meadow to perennial border to woodland edge. As for the charge that their leaves are ungainly, this is a contemptible calumny. We consider the lusty (typically spring-borne) leaves of the large colchicums to be highly ornamental, certainly far more so than the foliage of the average tulip or daffodil. Yes, they do go off in early summer, but did you ever hear a tulip chastised for displaying this behavior? All in all, this is a genus to be treasured. It is also a genus to be ordered early: we start shipping their corms in August, and if you want to see bloom (rather than stubs of ex-blooms) this fall, you will need to order before then.
Colchicum aff. autumnale~ We're not certain whether this large-cormed clone is a selection or a hybrid of the species, but it does much the same thing (pale-lilac, 1-1/2-inch flowers in mid-September) in a more prolific way. You can't beat the price either! Modified continental/maritime; S England to Russia. Zone 4/5.
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1/$3
Colchicum autumnale 'Alboplenum' ~ Long coveted for its large, pink-tinged blooms, like a white 'Waterlily', their 20 or more narrow, 2-inch "petals" persisting for weeks in October. Like all forms of this species, favors fertile, not-too-dry soil, and produces leek-like foliage in spring. Modified continental/maritime; S England to Russia. Zone 4/5.
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1/$7.50
Colchicum autumnale 'Album' ~ A vigorous form, its abundance of bloom and rapidity of increase amply compensating for its relatively small flowers (1.5-inch "petals"). Later blooming than the type (October). Modified continental/maritime. Zone 4/5.
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1/$6
Colchicum autumnale 'Nancy Lindsay' (C . pannonicum ) ~ Under whatever name, a dandy plant, with abundant, bright-pink, purple-"stemmed" blooms – somewhat larger than those of straight C. autumnale – in September and October. Vigorous. Modified continental. Zone 4/5.
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1/$5
Colchicum bivonae 'Apollo' ~ Parent of many of the large-flowered hybrids, this species is an outstanding ornamental in its own right, as witnessed by this robust cultivar. Large, goblet-shaped, fragrant, purple-checkered, white-starred flowers, two per corm, in August and September. Sun and good drainage required (and if given such, this is one Colchicum that should thrive in the deep South). Mediterranean; Corsica to W Turkey. Zone 6.
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1/$5
Colchicum byzantinum ~ Introduced to gardens in the 16th century and still unexcelled in its generosity of flower and increase, each corm throwing a dozen or more lilac-pink, white-starred, cup-shaped blooms with 2-inch lobes in August and September. Fragrant. Broad, pleated leaves in late winter/spring. Mediterranean; SE Europe. Zone 5/6. AGM
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1/$4
Colchicum byzantinum 'Album' ~ For those who want this stalwart species in a more versatile hue, here it is in white, feathered purple at the tips. Or you could always surrender to temptation and have both forms. We know we wouldn't want to be without either (although if we could have only one, this would be it). Mediterranean; SE Europe. Zone 5/6.
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1/$9
Colchicum cilicicum ~ This presumed parent of C. byzantinum bears up to 25 rose-purple, honey-scented, starry-petaled goblets in October. Most satisfactory, and one of our favorites. Likes sun and good drainage. Mediterranean; S Turkey. Zone 6.
Photo by Chris Guntermann
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1/$4.50
Colchicum giganteum ~ E.A. Bowles commends this "very distinct and beautiful plant, increasing well and flowering freely rather later than C. speciosum." Funnel-shaped, fragrant, rosy purple flowers in October; large leaves in late winter/spring. "Showy and easy," opine Jelitto & Schacht. We concur. Modified continental; NE Turkey. Zone 5.
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1/$4
Colchicum hungaricum f. albiflorum ~ White, 2-inch-wide blooms – accented by dark anthers – delight the eye for several weeks in February and March (or even earlier in mild-winter areas). Some spring colchicums are balky, but we find this easy to grow. Most gratifying. Mediterranean; SE Europe. Zone 6.
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1/$11
Colchicum kesselringii ~ Doubly unusual, with white, sometimes pink-suffused flowers (several per corm) in February and March, each 1-inch lobe distinctively blazed with a purple midstripe. Narrow leaves accompany the blooms. As with all the spring-bloomers, it appreciates good drainage and sun (and looks and does well in a pot). Steppe/montane; C Asia. Mediterranean; SE Europe. Zone 6.
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1/$12
Colchicum laetum ~ We're not sure about the validity of the botanical name, but the abundant pale-lilac flowers, reminiscent of but later than those of C. byzantinum, certainly validate this as a worthy ornamental. Zone 5.
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1/$4.50
Colchicum speciosum ~ Although this is actually a hybrid — its faint checkering betraying some C. bivonae influence — this is the clone offered in the trade as the quintessential large-flowered species, with 3-inch-tall chalices of raspberry-purple on 4-inch "stalks" in September/October. The large leaves arrive in spring. Wonderful with Tricyrtis and Anemone japonica . Likes humus and good drainage. Montane/modified continental; Caucusus to N Iran. Zone 5. AGM
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1/$3.50
Colchicum speciosum 'Album' ~ “Very easy and one of the finest of autumn-flowering bulbs,” say Phillips & Rix, to which we say, “Amen.” Like a pure white tulip out of season. Some references call this a weak grower, but we have found it to be every bit as robust as the type (if not more so). Zone 5. AGM
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1/$7
Colchicum szovitsii 'Tivi' ~ A first-rate selection with large, prolific, uniformly white flowers (except for a yoke of yellow at their centers). As with all forms of this species, its blooms remain effective for many weeks in late winter and early spring, in a display that far outstrips that of any snowdrop. Steppe/montane; Caucasus to N Iran. Zone 6.
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1/$12
Colchicum 'Autumn Herald' ~ An outstanding Will Ingwersen introduction, featuring wine-purple, ivory-eyed flowers, accented by pale-orange anthers, giving the appearance of a superior “bornmuelleri” form of C . speciosum . This cultivar has wowed everyone who’s seen it. As if that weren’t enough, its September to October bloom is among the longest of the hybrids (or at least the ones we know). Zone 5.
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1/$6.50
Colchicum 'Dick Trotter' ~ Among the most distinctive of the hybrids in form and hue, this relative newcomer opens its rounded, rose-pink, white-eyed goblets in September, midway in the colchicum season. A valuable addition to the repertoire. Zone 5.
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1/$6
Colchicum 'Disraeli' ~ One of the legendary Kerbert hybrids, nearly a century old, whose showy, magenta-checkered flowers closely resemble C. bivonae 'Apollo', but without its fragrance. Zone 5. AM
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1/$6
Colchicum 'Glory of Heemstede' ('Conquest') ~ A rarely offered but highly desirable Kerbert hybrid, rich in coloration (deep rosy-purple) and moderate in flower size (2-inch "petals"). The slightly checkered, goblet-shaped blooms appear in September. Zone 5.
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1/$7
Colchicum 'Jarka' ~ The resemblance to 'Harlequin' is quite close: the segments – pinched and sometimes twisted at their tips – are mauve below, white above. Yet, it's our impression that they're considerably heavier on the mauve and lighter on the twisting than is 'Harlequin'. In any case, 'Jarka' (like 'Harlequin') is a valuable and distinctive addition to the colchicum crew. Zone 5.
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1/$9
Colchicum 'Poseidon' ~ Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. 'Poseidon', a superior selection whose rich violet flowers are among the deepest in hue of any colchicum's. Makes sense. As also might be expected from the name, it is of robust constitution. Zone 5.
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1/$9
Colchicum 'Rosy Dawn'? ~ We received this as 'Rosy Dawn', but have reason to suspect it's an imposter. Whatever it is, it's one of the largest of our hybrids in all its parts, and also one of the best. Zone 5.
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1/$6.50
Colchicum 'Waterlily' ~ One of those rare instances where more "petals" are -- if not better -- at least just as good. Each corm flaunts five or more broad, ruffled, Nymphaean flowers of rosy-lilac. Deservedly popular.  Zone 5.
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1/$6
Colchicum 'Zephyr' ~ Bright purple, elegantly fashioned flowers through September. Increases well. Yet another worthy but obscure hybrid, and a favorite of ours. Zone 5.
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1/$8
The Late Show (Colchicum mix) ~ Grab the colchicums and run. Ten (10) unlabeled colchicum corms (including some of the above), at an unbeatable price. Zone 5.
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$35


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ODYSSEY BULBS
PO Box 382
South Lancaster, MA  01561
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