• late fall flowering bulb-like corm
• hardy
• multiplies readily to form a large attractive patch
• can easily be separated to spread around the garden
• requires nutritious well-drained soil
• full sun, semi shade
• a few different varieties
• adds a surprise element to fall garden
• 8-12″ tall

Fall Crocus goes by many names, Naked Ladies, Michaelmas Crocus and others. Once planted you will have this surprise flower every fall for years to come and the patch will multiply in size each year. Care must be taken in the spring, when the large and lush leaves appear. It is easy to dismiss them as an unknown and remove them, so it is a good idea to mark where they are planted. Over the summer months the leaves become yellow and die down, while feeding the corm and then, just when you have forgotten them, as if out of nowhere, up pop the delightful flowers. This has given rise to another name of Upstart. The blooms appear just as other perennials are giving up for the year. A group of pink, white or purple flowers appearing like this in September or October is a lovely surprise. Planted at the front of a perennial border with Sedums and Fall Flowering Asters, they make a fresh looking autumn display.

There are many varieties of Fall Crocus and most are listed as Zone 4. However I have found the ones I have to be hardy to zone 3. Other varieties such as ‘Water Lily’ differ slightly in form and colour but their habits are the same.

The Saffron Crocus is similar but this is not it. Colchicum sativus is cultivated in various parts of the world for its precious spice taken from the stamens of each flower. It is important to remember that nearly all Colchicum autumnale are poisonous if ingested.