Colchicums are charming and interesting 
plants, hardy, persistent and of easy culture. 
These great crocus-like flowers carpet the 
ground in September and October without 
foliage and at a time when the herbaceous 
beds begin to lose their freshness. 
To the casual eye they look like long 
tubed crocuses, but Colchicums are of the 
lily family and have six stamens while cro¬ 
cuses have but three. 
They are most effective when grown in 
masses and with ground covers of low grow¬ 
ing perennials such as Arabis, Sedums and 
Phlox Subulata. 
They may be placed between taller grow¬ 
ing plants in the rock garden, in flower bor¬ 
ders and in the wild garden. 
In very warm climates partial shade is 
preferable, otherwise they succeed best in 
an open sunny border. 
The blossoms seem fragile but are quite 
tough and last exceedingly well when cut 
for the house. In the garden the individual 
flowers last about three days, depending on 
the weather, being able to stand light frosty 
mornings better than hot sunny days. Five 
to 16 blooms come in succession from single 
bulbs, giving a long flowering period. 
In congenial surroundings Colchicums will 
increase so that every few years replanting 
is desirable. They should be lifted when the 
foliage dies down, separated and replanted. 
Plant Colchicums as soon as the bulbs can 
be obtained and are received. Planted in 
August or September, the bulbs will bloom 
almost immediately, but are at their best 
when well establshed. Deep, well enriched, qood loamy soil is preferred with 
tip of the long bulb placed 1 to 2 inches under the surface. If no ground cover 
is planted give a light mulch over winter. As the bulbs and foliage are dis¬ 
tasteful to animals, mice, moles and rabbits do not bother them. 
FLOWERING WITHOUT SOIL OR WATER 
Colchicum Collection No. 18 
Labeled and Postpaid. 
Speciosum. 
Bornmulleri. 
Byzantinum. 
Autumnale. 
1 each of 4 kinds, 4 bulbs.$1.00 
2 each of 4 kinds, 8 bulbs. 1.80 
5 each of 4 kinds, 20 bulbs. 4.50 
10 each of 4 kinds, 40 bulbs. 8.50 
Speciosum (1). Handsome, large, bowl¬ 
shaped flowers hoisted on tall slender tubes. 
The color, which hints of raspberries, is 
bright rosy-carmine. Very floriferous as well 
as fragrant and with petals of great sub¬ 
stance. One of the earliest to flower. Unlike 
other varieties, Speciosum does not have a 
flat base and must be held in a container 
when used for indoor flowering. 30c each, 
4 bulbs $1.10, $3.00 doz. 
Bornmulleri (1). An early variety with im¬ 
mense vase-like flowers of rich rose-lilac 
with large pure white center. On first open¬ 
ing the flower is very pale, almost white, 
but increases and deepens with maturity. It 
is very striking and attractive, and has a 
light spring-like fragrance. 35c each, 4 bulbs 
$1.25, $3.50 doz. 
Byzantinum (2) (Autumnale Major). Very 
beautiful soft rose-colored star-shaped flow¬ 
ers, perfect in form, produced in great pro¬ 
fusion. 30c each, 4 bulbs $1.10, $3.00 doz. 
Autumnale (3) (Illustrated) is the commonest and best known of the Colchi¬ 
cums. Exceedingly free flowering, and while the soft rose-lilac blooms are not 
as large as other varieties, the bulbs send up flower after flower in seemingly 
endless succession. One of the best for naturalizing. 25c each, 4 bulbs 90c, 
$2.50 doz. 
AUTUMNALE 
A most interesting feat of Colchicums is their ability to flower from dry 
bulbs without soil or water. This makes them valuable novelty gifts for friends 
and most fascinating for shut-ins to watch develop. 
The flat based, clean bulbs may be set on a table, on the window sill or in 
a container where they will start flowering. As the blooms fade and drop, cut 
them off and others will follow in quick succession. 
In the dark the flowers and tubes come an attractive pure white. On the 
window sill with plenty of light they have their normal color—less color 
appearing the farther the bulbs are from the light. The skins of the bulbs are 
dry and tough which often must be broken to allow the buds to appear. 
After flowering in the house the spent bulbs may be planted in the garden. 
Follow the directions for outside planting. Often they will recover after a 
year of rest and start flowering out-of-doors. 
For late orders we hold stock of bulbs in cool storage. 
Giganteum (3). A grand species bearing immense expanded flowers of beauti¬ 
ful soft rose with large white throat, remarkably handsome, giving the scent 
of honey. 50c each, 3 bulbs $1.35, $5.00 doz. 
Lilac Wonder (3). A fine new hybrid, large flowered Colchicum of rich rosy- 
carmine. A very striking variety of great merit. The long white tube makes it 
excellent for cutting. First Class Certificate, Haarlem. One of the best and 
highly recommended. 50c each, 3 bulbs $1.35, $5.00 doz. 
Violet Queen (3). Another fine new hybrid of darkest color, deep purplish- 
violet with white center. An extra fine variety. First Class Certificate, Haar¬ 
lem. 50c each, 3 bulbs $1.35, $5.00 doz. 
Conquest (3). One of the finest new hybrids. Award of Merit, Haarlem. Large 
flower on long tubes is dark violet, of good substance and free flowering. 
75c each. 3 bulbs $2.00, $7.50 doz. 
VIOLET QUEEN BORNMULLERI SPECIOSUM BYZANTINUM 
