Harlequin
November 29th, 2003 by Kathy Purdy · 1 Comment
Colchicum ‘Harlequin’ is apparently new enough that only Odyssey Bulbs, from whom I bought it, has any information on it: “With their pointed, twisted, creamy-white segments, blotched irregularly with purple toward their bases, the flowers (borne in September) of this aptly named and utterly distinctive cultivar really do give the impression of a jester’s hat or pantaloons. Breaks new ground for the genus, both in color and form.” Jane McGary describes this flower as “rather ugly,” but I think it’s kind of cute. Certainly, its “utterly distinctive” form is a refreshing change from the ubiquitous goblet shape. Ms. McGary refers to it as a sport, but I don’t know which colchicum it’s a sport of. This is my first year growing it, so I can’t give any opinion on how vigorous a grower it is. I guess it all comes down to whether you are in the “cute” or the “ugly” camp.
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Categories: Colchicums
Tags: autumn· colchicum· Colchicums
About Kathy Purdy
Kathy Purdy discovered the joys of writing in fourth grade, when she started corresponding with a former classmate. She's been writing letters ever since, first on looseleaf, then electronically, and now as weblog entries. That makes you, the blog reader, her pen pal. Her first independent (though frustrating) attempts at gardening were made in high school, though the gardening bug didn't bite hard until her mid-thirties, when she found herself mistress of a rural home on 15 acres. •
USDA Hardiness Zone:4 • AHS Heat Zone: 3 • Location: rural;
Southern Tier of NY • Geographic type: foothills of Appalachian
Mountains • Soil Type: acid clay • Experience level:
intermediate
• Particular interests: colchicums, narcissus, cottage gardening, NY
native plants, gardening with/for children
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Colchicum ‘Harlequin’ is apparently new enough that only Odyssey Bulbs, from whom I bought it, has any information on it: “With their pointed, twisted, creamy-white segments, blotched irregularly with purple toward their bases, the flowers (borne in September) of this aptly named and utterly distinctive cultivar really do give the impression of a jester’s hat or pantaloons. Breaks new ground for the genus, both in color and form.” Jane McGary describes this flower as “rather ugly,” but I think it’s kind of cute. Certainly, its “utterly distinctive” form is a refreshing change from the ubiquitous goblet shape. Ms. McGary refers to it as a sport, but I don’t know which colchicum it’s a sport of. This is my first year growing it, so I can’t give any opinion on how vigorous a grower it is. I guess it all comes down to whether you are in the “cute” or the “ugly” camp.
1 response so far ↓
1 Curiouser and Curiouser | Cold Climate Gardening // Apr 28, 2007 at 10:04 pm
[...] it’s normally the last colchicum to flower every autumn. What is surprising is that ‘Harlequin’ sent up a tentative bud after ‘Waterlily’ had been blooming for a few days. The bud has [...]
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