Present and Accounted For

– Posted in: Colchicums
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Colchicum ‘Autumn Herald’ finally made an appearance, kind of late to be a herald, but a relief to me. Only one blossom so far–perhaps it’s not thriving? Or perhaps I’m too impatient. After all, this first blossom has scarcely colored up yet. The first of the transplanted ‘Lilac Wonder’s is blooming, and doesn’t look floppy like it did in its former location, so now I’m wondering if it flopped because it didn’t get enough sun. But it’s not a leaf or a stem, so does it even have the potential to lean towards the sun? Beats me. Wait and see, Kathy, wait and see. It’s only one of ten bulbs, after all.

The first two flowers of all the bulbs Collin planted in front of the lilac hedge are coming up, and they’re not as noticeable from the house as I had hoped. For one thing, Lachlan made a point not to mow there this last time because he was afraid of harming them, so they are a bit lost in the grass. For another thing, they are going to be blooming singly this year because of being divided, whereas next year each singleton will (hopefully) be a clump. For another thing, two blossoms do not a mass planting make. Most of them haven’t bloomed yet, and the ones toward the further end were small enough they may not have a blossom in them this fall. Don’t worry–when it does finally look spectacular I’ll be sure to show you.

About the Author

Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.

In its own way, frost may be one of the most beautiful things to happen in your garden all year . . . Don’t miss it. Like all true beauty, it is fleeting. It will grace your garden for but a short while this morning. . . . For this moment, embrace frost as the beautiful gift that it is.

~Philip Harnden in A Gardener’s Guide to Frost: Outwit the Weather and Extend the Spring and Fall Seasons

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