


Coiawnn “7 
COLCHICUMS 


SPECIOSUM 

VIOLET QUEEN 
FLOWERING WITHOUT SOIL OR WATER 
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 fascinat- 
ing for shutins to watch develop. 
The flat based, clean bulbs may be set on 
a table, on the window sill or in a con- 
tainer 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. After October Ist, bulbs should 
be grown in pots and not flowered from the 
dry bulb. 
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. 25¢ each, 
4 bulbs 90c, $2.50 doz. 
24 

Colchicums are charming and interesting plants, hardy, 
persistent and of easy culture. 
These great crocus-like flowers carpet the ground in Sep- 
tember 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 
crocuses have but three. 
They are most effective when grown in masses and with 
ground covers of low growing perennials such as Arabis, 
Sedums and Phlox Subulata. 
They may be placed between taller growing plants in the 
rock garden, in flower borders and in the wild garden. 
In very warm climates partial shade is preferable, other- 
wise 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 th 
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 
established. Deep, well enriched, good loamy soil is preferred 
with tip cf the long bulb placed | to 2 inches under the sur- 
face. If no ground cover is planted give a light mulch over 
winter. As the bulbs and foliage are distasteful to animals, 
mice, moles and rabbits do not bother them. 
Colchicum Collection VIII. 



Our Selection of Colchicums, labeled and postpaid. 
l each of 4kinds, 4bulbs.............. $1.00 
2 each of kinds, 8 bulbs.............. 1.80 
5 each of 4 kinds, 20 bulbs.............. 4.50 
10 each of 4 kinds, 40 bulbs.............. 8.50 
Autumnale (3) (Illustrcted) is the commonest and best known 
of the Colchicums. 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 suc- 
cession. One of the best for naturalizing. 25¢ each, 4 bulbs 
90c, $2.50 a dozen. 

AUTUMNALE 




BORNMULLERI 

BYZANTINUM 
Bornmuilileri (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. 30c each, 4 bulbs 
$1.10, $3.00 per doz. 
Byzantinum (2) (Autumnale Major). Very 
keautiful soft rose-colored star-shaped flow- 
ers, perfect in form, produced in great pro- 
fusion. 30c each, 4 bulbs $1.10, $3.00 doz. 
Giganteum (3). A grand species bearing im- 
mense expanded flowers of beautiful soft 
rose with large white throat, remarkably 
handsome, giving the scent of honey. 49c¢ 
each, 3 bulbs $1.10, $4.00 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 cut- 
ting. 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, Haarlem. 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. 60c each, 3 bulbs $1.55, 
$6.00 doz. 
Mixed, Unnamed. 15c each, 4 bulbs 55c, 
$1.50 doz. 

