Colchicum autumnale
AUTUMN CROCUS, MEADOW SAFFRON, NAKED LADY
SKU: 1150-010
Description
The images cannot described just how HUGE this crocus is! Fall crocus displays it's giant flowers in the fall, without any foliage on the plants! Due to this, they are sometimes called 'Naked Ladies". In spring, shiny, strap-like, thick foliage emerges. The foliage goes dormant in summer (similar to other spring bulbs) making way for the mass of flowers in the fall. These plants multiply well, and form large drifts.
Type: Hardy perennial
Height: Flowers 10" tall, foliage 14" tall
Location: Sun or shade
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Seeds per pack: 10
Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants are poisonous. Despite the vernacular name of "meadow saffron," this plant is not the source of saffron.
Germination: Start these seeds right away for best germination rates. Start indoors. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 4 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. They will not grow yet. Then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 80 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool room (15-18C, 59-68F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-60 days after the warming period, though some can take longer.
Description
The images cannot described just how HUGE this crocus is! Fall crocus displays it's giant flowers in the fall, without any foliage on the plants! Due to this, they are sometimes called 'Naked Ladies". In spring, shiny, strap-like, thick foliage emerges. The foliage goes dormant in summer (similar to other spring bulbs) making way for the mass of flowers in the fall. These plants multiply well, and form large drifts.
Type: Hardy perennial
Height: Flowers 10" tall, foliage 14" tall
Location: Sun or shade
Hardiness zones: 4-9
Seeds per pack: 10
Note: Ornamental use only. These seeds and/or plants are poisonous. Despite the vernacular name of "meadow saffron," this plant is not the source of saffron.
Germination: Start these seeds right away for best germination rates. Start indoors. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 4 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. They will not grow yet. Then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 80 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool room (15-18C, 59-68F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-60 days after the warming period, though some can take longer.
