Crocus serotinus ssp. salzmannii. A true autumn crocus.
Confusion reigns with the common name Autumn Crocus. Commonly people refer to Colchicum species as Autumn Crocus but they are not even a member of the Crocus genus.
Crocus serotinus ssp. salzmannii (syn C. salzmannii) grows naturally on the stony slopes in Spain and North Africa.
In autumn, at the beginning of the cool and rainy season its lilac coloured flowers appear at the same time as its leaves which is different from other species which flower and then produce their leaves.
In the garden plant the bulbs in a sunny place where they will get summer heat and also autumn rain to stimulate flowering.
The flowers appear quickly and last about 2 – 3 days and ten die down. In this time the pollen is transferred to the stigma and seed is beginning to be developed. As the flower dies quickly its long stem also dies. To overcome this seed is produced in an ovary set at about ground level where it is protected from the winter elements and any damage to the flower.
It makes a good garden plant and will naturalise easily.
Crocus or Krokus (Greek) was a mortal youth who, because he was unhappy with his love affair with Smilax, was turned by the gods into a plant bearing his name, the crocus.
Crocus serotinus ssp. salzmannii (syn C. salzmannii) grows naturally on the stony slopes in Spain and North Africa.
In autumn, at the beginning of the cool and rainy season its lilac coloured flowers appear at the same time as its leaves which is different from other species which flower and then produce their leaves.
In the garden plant the bulbs in a sunny place where they will get summer heat and also autumn rain to stimulate flowering.
The flowers appear quickly and last about 2 – 3 days and ten die down. In this time the pollen is transferred to the stigma and seed is beginning to be developed. As the flower dies quickly its long stem also dies. To overcome this seed is produced in an ovary set at about ground level where it is protected from the winter elements and any damage to the flower.
It makes a good garden plant and will naturalise easily.
Crocus or Krokus (Greek) was a mortal youth who, because he was unhappy with his love affair with Smilax, was turned by the gods into a plant bearing his name, the crocus.