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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 banaticus ~ Unique and indispensable.
Distinctive, large, iris-like flowers with erect, 1-inch inner lobes
("standards") and reflexing, 2-inch outer lobes ("falls") debut in late September. The lilac to
purple blooms continue for several weeks. The leaves -- which appear in spring -- are unusually broad and lack
the central striping typical of the genus. This all-too-rare beauty thrives and self-sows in partial shade and humus-rich soil. Modified continental;
N Romania to SW Russia. Zone 4. AGM
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1/$10 |
| 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 cartwrightianus
CEH.613
~ Superior selection of this ancestor of saffron crocus (C.
sativus ),
somewhat smaller but far more floriferous than its domesticated
descendant, producing up to 10 lilac, purple-feathered flowers in
November/December. The large stigmas make excellent saffron. Sun and
well-drained soil required, along with protection from severe cold.
Highly recommended. Mediterranean; Greece to Crete. Zone 7. AGM
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1/$9 |
| Crocus goulimyi ~
Exquisite, recently described species, with 1.5-inch, blue-lilac,
scented chalices poised elegantly on long, white tubes. It blooms for
weeks in October and November, before the leaves emerge. Mediterranean;
Greece. Zone 5. AGM
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1/$3.50 |
| 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/$6 |
| Crocus kotschyanus
'Reliance'
~ Whereas the commonly offered form of C. kotschyanus can be shy-flowering, this highly acclaimed selection blooms freely year after year. The bluish-lilac, orange-eyed flowers appear early in the season (September), preceding the leaves. Steppe/Mediterranean; Asia Minor. Zone 5.
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1/$5 |
| Crocus kotschyanus x ochroleucus
~
Unlike the commonly available, florally challenged forms of C. kotschyanus, this vigorous hybrid of same is a reliable and prolific bloomer, producing a plethora of pale-lilac, yellow-throated flowers in September and October. We have been very impressed with its performance. Zone 5.
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1/$4 |
| Crocus longiflorus
~
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/$5.50 |
| Crocus niveus VV.KA.2312
~
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/$5.50 |
| Crocus niveus AH.0177 (population of white and pale blue)
~
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/$5.50 |
| Crocus pulchellus
'Inspiration' ~ Elizabeth Lawrence considered this species "well-named, for the flowers are so adorable that it is hard to describe them without sounding foolish." This gorgeous selection – whose bright blue, orange-throated flowers echo the October sky – would probably have done nothing to dampen her ardor for the species. It is robust, self-sowing, and accepting of 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 ~
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
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. 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/$6 |
| 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/$3 |
| Crocus speciosus
'Lithuanian Autumn' ~ The outer "petals" of this lovely new bicolored selection (from Lithuania, in case you haven't guessed) morph from pale pewter-gray to creamy white as the flowers mature. Yet another reason to love species speciosus.
Zone 3. Enter quantity:
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1/$7 |
| 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 |