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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. Mediterranean;
Greece. Zone 5. AGM
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1/$10 |
| 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/$10 |
| Crocus niveus VV.KA.2312
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A late-blooming, pure-white selection heretofore unknown to (and ungrown by) us, we're willing to take a chance on it, as we would on any selection of this laudable
species. Mediterranean; S Greece. Zone 6.
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1/$8 |
| Crocus niveus AH.0177 (population of white and pale blue)
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These seedlings derive from a population of C.
niveus that belies its specific epithet by blooming predominately in light shades of blue. Some will also be white. They're all lovely. Mediterranean; S Greece. Zone 6. |
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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 sativus ~
Saffron, renowned not for its attractive lilac flowers but rather for
its toothsome stigmas (although keep in mind that it takes the
dried stigmata of more than 4,000 flowers to
produce 1 ounce of seasoning). A natural for the herb or kitchen
garden, it requires rich, well-drained soil and frequent replanting 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. Rarely available.
Mediterranean. Zone 5.
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1/$1.50 |
| 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 |
| 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 |