Colchicum giganteum

– Posted in: Colchicums
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Colchicum giganteumHere is another one where I am not sure I have a correctly identified plant, mostly, I suppose, because it is surely not the biggest colchicum on the block. On the other hand, I think Bowles’ description fits: “In C. giganteum the segments open out more widely and remain expanded at an angle of forty-five degrees, almost flat on the upper surface but with a tendency to be twisted towards the apex, and they resemble a Lily or Hippeastrum rather than a Tulip.” It does look rather lily-ish, doesn’t it? Bowles goes on to give it this recommendation: “It is a very distinct and beautiful plant, a strong grower, increasing well and flowering freely rather later than C. speciosum, which makes it valuable for lengthening the season of large-flowered colchicums.” In my garden this plant blooms concurrently with C. speciosum. Bryan describes it as ten to twelve inches tall. I didn’t think to measure them, but I think six to eight inches tall would be closer to the height mine had. Photo taken September 23.

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 the end, this may be the most important thing about frost: Frost slows us down. In spring, it tempers our eagerness. In fall, it brings closure and rest. In our gotta-go world–where every nanosecond seems to count–slowness can be a great gift. So rather than see Jack Frost as an adversary, you could choose to greet him as a friend.

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

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