(Autumn Crocus)

Heralding the waning of summer's grasp, Colchicum cilicicum produces round-petaled flowers of fuchsia-rose without any leaves present. The common name is misleading, though the flowers of this hardy "bulb" do superficially resemble crocuses, colchicums are not related to the genus Crocus.

Native from the western Mediterranean from Turkey southward to Syria and Lebanon, this species of autumn crocus grows from plump corms (condensed underground stems) with papery tunics. In...

(Autumn Crocus)

Rounded petals of a violet-fuchsia greet the waning days of summer on the 'Purpureum' selection of Colchicum cilicicum. The common name is misleading, though the flowers of this hardy "bulb" do superficially resemble crocuses, colchicums are not related to the genus Crocus.

Hailing from Turkey southward to Syria and Lebanon, this species of autumn crocus grows from plump corms (condensed underground stems) with papery tunics. In spring, these send up decorative small lance-shaped...

(Giant Autumn Crocus)

Prized for its rosy-purple flowers that appear in late summer and early fall rather than in spring like those of most other "bulbs," this hardy perennial is native to northern Turkey. It has been known in gardens since the late nineteenth century. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This plant produces large broad strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known...

(Yellow Meadow Saffron)

Yellow meadow saffron is one of the most exquisite and uncommon spring flowering bulbs. This petite perennial from Afghanistan, northern India and Tibet grows from a small bulb-like corm. Its bright yellow flower buds arise on stalk-like tubes in late winter, emerging just after the green lance-shaped leaves. The floral tube usually has reddish-brown blushing which continues into the lowest part of the petal-like flower segments. Each corm can produce up to four small, goblet-shaped blossoms. The...

(Giant Meadow Saffron)

One of the largest and showiest colchicums, this perennial from uplands of southwestern Asia bears its lilac-purple, white-eyed blooms in late summer. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This plant produces large broad strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known as a corm. After the leaves wither in late spring, the corm quietly waits until late summer...

(Giant Meadow Saffron, White Giant Meadow Saffron)

Perhaps the most striking form of a beautiful "bulb" from southwestern Asia, 'Album' bears large white goblet-shaped flowers in late summer and early fall. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This plant produces large broad strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known as a corm. After the leaves wither in late spring, the corm quietly waits until late summer...

(White Breath-of-Heaven)

This South African native is a tender evergreen shrub with upright stems that bear white flowers.It has short, narrow leaves densely spaced on the stems, making the plant look soft and feathery. In late spring to summer, the many small white flowers in tight clusters appear along the tips of the stems.

White breath-of-heaven should be given a neutral to acidic, moist yet well-drained soil. Provide as much sun as possible for best growth and full flowering. Average watering is sufficient in the...

(Breath-of-Heaven)

Breath-of-heaven is a tender evergreen shrub native to South Africa that resembles a large heath, having many upright stems clothed with short, narrow leavesand tipped by tight clusters of small flowers in red or pink from late spring to summer. The leaves, when crushed, smell of camphor.

Breath-of-heaven should be given a neutral to acidic, moist yet well-drained soil. Provide as much sun as possible for best growth and widespread flowering across the branches. Average watering is sufficient...

(Breath-of-Heaven, Sunset Gold Breath-of-Heaven)

A selection of the evergreen South African shrub Breath-of-heaven, 'Sunset Gold' (or 'Golden Sunset') is white-flowering and chartreuse-leaved, a handsome combination. Like its South African parent, it has short, narrow leaves covering upright stems, making the plant look soft and feathery like a large heath. In late spring to summer, the many small white flowers in tight clusters appear on the tips of the stems.

This breath-of-heaven should be given a neutral to acidic, moist yet well-drained...

(Elephant Ear, Taro)

Colocasia is a small genus of about 7 species of large-leaved tropical plants that inhabit the warm moist areas of southern Asia. The most widely grown species is Colocasia esculenta, otherwise known as elephant ear or taro, which is used worldwide as a dietary staple.

Elephant ears are usually perennial, evergreen or deciduous, and have large tuberous roots and rhizomes (underground lateral stems) that grow at or just below the ground surface. The leaves are roughly arrow-shaped...