MENTOR , ONTO 
WAYSIDE GARDENS 
Colchicum - Meadow Saffron 
(Giant Autumn-Flowering- Crocus) 
Colchicum are autumn-flowering bulbs with large Crocus-like 
blossoms which appear during the months of September and 
October, without foliage. The foliage, however, appears early in 
the spring about the same time the Tulips and Hyacinths are in 
bloom and disappears in June. They are especially recommended 
for planting between the taller growing rock plants such as 
Cerastium, Vinca, Pachysandra and the various Sedums, where 
their bold, checkered Crocus-like blossoms are seen to the best 
advantage. Blooming in September and October when flowers in 
the rockery are scarce, they are especially valuable. They may 
be also planted in the open woods or in naturalistic plantings 
of any sort. The bulbs, if kept indoors, will bloom during Sep¬ 
tember and October in the window without any earth or water 
and after blooming, the bulbs may be planted in early Novem¬ 
ber outdoors, and will not suffer in the least. 
Doz. 100 
Autumnale. Commonly called the Autumn Crocus; 
very free-fiowering;*of easy culture .$2.50 $18.00 
Bornmuelleri. Fine cup-shaped, long-tubed flowers of 
rosy lilac colorirg; one of the finest species; early 
flowering . 4.00 30.00 
Speciosum. Deep rose-purple; very large, stout and 
fine . 2.75 20.00 
Crocus Species 
Autumn and Spring Flowering 
Besides the Dutch Crocuses there are certain species that 
bloom very much earlier in the year, often before the snow has 
gone. The flowers of these wild sorts are smaller than those of 
the Dutch kinds but they are as vigorous and free as the others. 
Given a sunny position in the rock garden or a sheltered position 
in grass where the sun may encourage them freely, they will 
surprise you by their hardy appearance in the face of cold and 
storms. 
Crocus Imperati, pale lilac with buff jacket, often flowers in 
late February, and is closely followed by Crocus Sieberi, a fuller, 
purer mauve sort; it has as a companion the deep rich yellow 
Crocus Susianus, which is even more attractive in the bud 
stage with its dark, rich brown flowers on the exterior of the 
segments. Once planted, they will take care of themselves for 
many years. Then comes Crocus Tommasinianus, an exquisite 
vaselike form, in color varying from a pale mauve to quite a 
rich! purple. This variation is one of its great attractions. These 
all increase as freely as do the Dutch varieties. 
AUTUMN-FLOWERING VARIETIES 
(October Flowering) 
100 1000 
Sativus (Saffron Crocus). Habitat Italy to Kurdis¬ 
tan. Large flowers, purplish lilac, feathered violet, 
with showy orange stigmata, slightly scented. 
Flowering freely when established .$3.00 $28.00 
Speciosus. Large bright blue flowers, beautifully 
veined, orange-red anthers and bright yellow 
throat; a very fine Autumn Crocus, deserves to be 
planted plentifully. 3.00 28.00 
Crocus Zonatus, Autumn-Flowering. 
Spring-Flowering Crocuses. 
Imperati. Susianus. Tommasinianus. 
Speciosus, Artabir. Pale blue, dark feathered, large 
flower . 4.25 40.00 
Zonatus. Flowers rose-lilac with yellow throat, free¬ 
ly produced. One of the most satisfactory kinds; 
easily grown indoors. When bulbs have flowered 
in the house they should be planted in the garden 
where they will establish without any effort .... 3.00 28.00 
SPRING-FLOWERING VARIETIES 
Charming in the rock garden planted between Sedum or other 
creeping plants. 
100 1000 
Biflorus. White, outside purple lined. Slightly 
scented .$9.00 $88.00 
Imperati. A very beautiful early-flowering species. 
The outside petals are buff and feathered with 
purple lines; inside rich violet. It is one of the 
earliest species to open its flowers. Specially rec¬ 
ommended . 11.00 100.00 
Korolkowi. This unusually fine early species is in¬ 
valuable for the rock garden, for clumps in the 
border or for grouping near the terrace or house 
and under trees. The color is brilliant golden yel¬ 
low shading to orange, while exterior of the petals 
is shaded bronze; the very earliest of spring flow¬ 
ers . 6.00 58.00 
Sieberi. A charming species, delicate blue with 
golden throat. Flowers are produced in great pro¬ 
fusion in early February . 5.75 56.00 
Susianus (Cloth of Gold). Bright golden yellow 
flowers, outside brown striped, produced in great 
profusion. Specially recommended for naturaliz¬ 
ing . 3.00 28.00 
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