AUTUMN BLOOMING 
COLCHICUMS 
Colchicums are charming and _ interest- 
ing plants, hardy, persistent and of easy 
culture. These great crocus-like flowers 
carpet the ground in September and Octo- 
ber without foliage, the foliage appearing 
early in the spring, usually lasting until 
July. 
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 re- 
planting 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 en- 
riched, good 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. 
The bulbs and foliage are distasteful to 
animals; mice, moles and rabbits do not 
bother them. 
FLOWERING WITHOUT SOIL or WATER 
A most interesting feat of Colchicums is 
their ability to flower from dry bulbs with- 
out soil or water. This makes them valu- 
able novelty gifts for friends and most fas- 
cinating for shut-ins 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 nor- 
mal 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 bulbs 
should be planted in the garden at once. 
Bulbs planted outdoors late in the fall do 
not have as good a chance to recover as 
those planted out early. : 
Colchicums are ideal as hospital gifts, 
after flowering the bulbs may be taken 
home and planted. 
56 
PRICES ARE FOR LARGEST TOP SIZE 
BULBS 
BORNMULLERI (1). An early variety with 
immense vase-like flowers of rich rose- 
lilac with large pure white center. On 
first opening the flower is very pale, al- 
most white, but increases and deepens 
with maturity. It is very striking and 
attractive and has a light spring-like fra- 
grance. Each 40c; 3 for $1.10; doz. 
$4.00. 
GIGANTEUM (3). A grand species bearing 
immense expanded flowers of beautiful 
soft rose with large white throat, remark- 
ably handsome, giving the scent of 
honey. Each 50c; 3 for $1.35; doz. $5.00. 
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 ex- 
cellent for cutting. First Class Certifi- 
cate, Haarlem. One of the best and 
highly recommended. Each 60c; 3 for 
$1.65; doz. $6.00. 
SPECIOSUM (1). Handsome, large bowl- 
shaped flowers hoisted on tall slender 
tubes. The color, which hints of raspber- 
ries, is bright rosy-carmine. Very florif- 
erous as well as fragrant and with petals 
of great substance. One of the earliest 
to flower. Unlike other varieties, Spe- 
ciosum does not have a flat base and 
must be held in a container when used 
for indoor flowering. Each 50c; 3 for 
$1.35; doz. $5.00. 
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. Hach 75c; 3 for $2.00; doz. $7.50. 
COLCHICUM COLLECTION 
Bornmulleri Lilac Wonder 
Giganteum Speciosum 
Violet Queen 
(Five Varieties Properly Labeled) 
l-e€ach of-5) kinds. 25 bulbs eee $ 2.50 
o each Of-5_kinds,,.15  pulbs. 2) eee 7.00 
6 each of 5 kinds, 30 bulbs........ 13.50 
COLCHICUMS ARE NOT AV AILABLE 
AFTER AUGUST 20TH. 
