Autumn-Blooming Crocus
When planting spring-flowering bulbs, the only problem is
having to wait until next spring to see them come up. But if you plant
fall-blooming ones, there's no delayed gratification. In fact, they'll flower
three weeks after they're put in the ground.
There are two fall-blooming types: colchicum and crocus.
Crocus looks similar to its spring-flowering cousin. It pops up amongst the fall leaves
in shades of yellow and purple. Colchicum looks like larger crocus. Both of
these typically bloom during September and October. Fall-blooming bulbs are harder to find in garden centers and
nurseries, so you may have to order them online or through a mail-order
catalog. They're typically shipped out in late summer or early fall.
Once you get your bulbs, it's important that you plant them
right away. They'll appreciate a location that gets at least six hours of sun each day, and
well-drained soil is a must. As far as planting goes, the smaller crocus should be
planted so its tip is two inches below the soil surface. However, with the larger colchicum,
dig a hole so its tip is four inches deep.
Remember that with any bulb, the point should be looking up
at you and the roots facing down. Before you put them in their hole, sprinkle
in some bulb food and scratch it into the soil. Then scatter the bulbs, making
sure their tips are looking up at you. Just cover it up, and in no time you'll
have another flowering garden.