COLCHICUM 
CHIONODOXA 
(Glory of the Snow) 
One of the loveliest spring flowers and when established, 
the mass of blue in very early spring is a great attraction. 
It should be used in borders as edgings, also massed on 
rockwork or in the shrubbery. Plant about 3 inches deep. 
Perfectly hardy. 
LUCILIAE. Clear blue with pure white center. 
Doz. 40c; 100, $2.75. 
Intense bright blue. The best. 
Dozs40e 1OOn S225. 
SARDENSIS. 

CHIONODOXA, LUCILIAE 

AUTUMN BLOOMING COLCHICUMS 
Colchicums are charming and interesting plants, hardy, persistent and of easy cul- 
ture. These great crocus-like flowers carpet the ground in September and October with- 
out 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 withstand light frosty mornings better than hot sunny days. Five 
to 16 blooms come in succession from single bulbs, giving a jong 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 immed ately, but are at their best 
when well established. Deep, well enriched, good loamy soil is preferred with tip of the 
long bulb placed 1 to 2 inches under the surface. If no ground cover is plahted 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 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 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. 
COLCHICUMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE 
AFTER AUGUST 20TH. 
PRICES ARE FOR LARGEST TOP SIZE BULBS 
AUTUMN QUEEN. (1) Dark lilac. SPECIOSUM. (1) Handsome, large 
Early. Prolific. bowl-shaped flowers hoisted on 
Each 50c; 3 for $1.35; Doz. $5.00. tall slender tubes. The color, which 
CONQUEST. (3) One of the finest hints of raspberries, is bright rosy- 
new hybrids. Award of Merit, carmine. Very floriferous as well 
Haarlem. Large flower on lon . 
Sober eeare tae Briccod Fie as fragrant and with petals of great 
substance. One of the earliest to 
stance and free flowering. 
Each Gp G-sSntones lalate Doze bor 0) flower. Unlike other varieties, Spe- 
ciosum does not have a flat base 
GIGANTEUM. (3) A grand species ; 4 
bearing immense expanded flow- and must be held in a container 
when used for indoor flowering. 
ers of beautiful soft rose with large 
Each 50c; 3 for $1.35; Doz. $5.00. 
white throat, remarkably hand- 
VIOLET QUEEN. (3) Another fine 
some, giving the scent of honey. 
Each 40c; 3 for $1.10; Doz. $4.00. 
new hybrid of darkest color, deep 
LILAC WONDER. (3) A fine new 
hybrid, large flowered Colchicum 
of rich rosy-carmine. A very strik- 
ing variety of great merit. The 
long white tube makes it excellent 
for cutting. First Class Certificate, 
Haarlem. One of the best and 
highly recommended. 
Bachea 0c 3) tom Siles>s Dozy $5.00! 
purplish-violet with white center. 
An extra fine variety. 
Each 60c¢-"3) for $165-) Doz 56.00) 
MIXED COLCHICUMS. Mixture of 
various varieties. 
3 for $1.20; Doz. $4.50. 

COLCHICUM COLLECTION 
4 bulbs -.¢38ee eee eee $1.75 
3 each of 4 varieties, 12 bulbs................... 5.00 
6 each of 4 varicties, 24 bulbs................... 
1 each of 4 varieties, 



46 

McLEAN BULB FARMS 
