(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)

A tender herbaceous perennial native to the eastern Himalayas, Colocasia affinis is grown primarily for its showy foliage. The velvety heart-shaped leaves are purple with green veins. Fragrant flowers with narrow yellow spathes may appear in summer.

Beautiful near a water feature, this plant grows well in shallow water or in any evenly moist, humus-rich, neutral to slightly acid soil (keep it drier during its winter quiescent period). In areas where the tubers will not overwinter in the ground,...

(Elephant Ear, Taro)

Dwarf Jenings elephant ear is a tropical perennial native to Polynesia and the rainforest regions of Asia. It is primarily grown for its large egg-shaped, velvety leaves. They are dark green with chartreuse veins and a silvery-green center. During the growing season yellow-green spathe flowers appear but are generally overshadowed by foliage. It ear goes dormant following its bloom but re-emerges when temperatures warm.

The dwarf Jenings' elephant ear prefers partial shade and protection from...