Order your Colchicums Now

The colchicum (often falsely called autumn crocus, which is a very different bulb) is a beautiful autumn-flowering bulb that is hardy from zones 4 to 8, even zone 3 if the sector enjoys good snow cover. The spectacular flowers do indeed resemble giant crocuses, although they belong to an entirely different family. Curiously, they emerge from the ground without foliage, creating a particularly stunning effect. The leaves only appear the following spring, at the same time as the leaves of other hardy bulbs, then disappear in the summer. You plant colchicums in September… and the flowers bloom only a few days later. Over time, the colony will multiply and you can divide them to fill your flowerbeds with these beautiful flowers.

You will not find colchicums in most garden centers, however. Stores haven’t the faintest idea how to handle these bulbs which should be planted as soon as they arrive, otherwise the start to bloom on the shelf (yes, with no soil at all!). That being the case, you have little choice but to order them by mail. They will then be delivered in September just at the right time to plant them. In the US, try https://store.brentandbeckysbulbs.com. In Canada, try http://www.thimblefarms.com, http://www.botanus.com or https://www.gardenimport.com. Elsewhere, check the Internet for a bulb source near you.