Allium – Convallaria  Colchicum   Corydalis – Fritillaria   Spring Crocus   Geranium – Iris   Leucojum – Ornithogalum  Pinellia – Tulipa

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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.
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.	SOLD OUT 1/$3
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. Enter quantity:	1/$5
Crocus kotschyanus ssp. kotschyanus flowering form ~ Unlike the florally challenged forms of this species that are typically offered in the mass bulb trade, this selection blooms reliably and prolifically, beginning in mid-October here. The interiors of the pale lavender-blue flowers are decorated with purple pinstripes, along with the usual basal ring of egg-yolk-yellow blotches. Self-sowing happens. Steppe; Asia Minor Zone 5.	SOLD OUT 1/$2.50
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	SOLD OUT 1/$5
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, robust selection – whose bright blue, orange-throated flowers echo the October sky – would only have increased her admiration. Like others of its kind, it flourishes and often self-sows in sun or semi-shade. Mediterranean/modified continental; Balkans to Turkey. Zone 5/6.	SOLD OUT 1/$6
Crocus pulchellus 'Michael Hoog' ~ The largest-flowered, most vigorous white clone, this exquisite selection is also one of the longest blooming fall crocuses, debuting in mid-October and continuing week after spellbinding week. This is a favorite here. Zone 5/6. Enter quantity:	1/$6
Crocus sativus ~ 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. Enter quantity:	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. Enter quantity:	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.	1/$20
Crocus serotinus ssp. clusii 'Poseidon' ~ Presenting a vigorous, rich lilac purple selection of the westernmost crocus, long beloved for its fragrant flowers in October/November, which appear with the leaves. Orange anthers glow at the flowers' centers. Modified continental/Mediterranean; Portugal & W Spain. Zone 6. Enter quantity:	1/$5
Crocus serotinus ssp. salzmanii 'Erectophyllus' ~ The large, fragrant, violet flowers of this vigorous, superior selection debut in October and continue for several weeks. The leaves arise in early fall. Mediterranean; Spain. Zone 6. Enter quantity:	1/$5
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). Plus it's larger. Zone 3.	SOLD OUT 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.	SOLD OUT 1/$2.50

[Allium] [Anemone] [Arisaema] [Arum] [Biarum] [Bulbocodium] [Camassia] [Chionodoxa] [Colchicum] [Convallaria] [Corydalis] [Spring Crocus] [Erythronium] [Fritillaria] [Geranium] [Gladiolus] [Hepatica] [Hyacinthoides] [Iris] [Leucojum [Merendera] [Muscari] [Narcissus] [Nectaroscordum] [Ornithogalum] [Pinellia] [Polygonatum] [Puschkinia] [Rhodophiala] [Scilla] [Tulipa]