We began offering this selection in our catalog in 2014, touting it as the true species autumnale. A few years back, Colchicum evangelist Kathy Purdy (Cold Climate Gardening blogger) suggested that I might have it mislabeled. Comparing corms received from me to other autumn crocus in her collection led Kathy to believe this plant was the hybrid Colchicum x byzantinum, and I now believe she is correct. Autumnale is one of the parents of byzantinum, and catalogs used to list byzantinum as Colchicum autumnale ‘Major’. In 2022 we purposely planted the stocks of this plant next to the white form of byzantinum (‘Innocence’) and observed that the overall height, leaf size and shape, and exceptionally large fist like corms produced were nearly identical for each. Now I need someone who could determine its cellular chromosome number, as that would really prove if this is indeed the hybrid. Until then we are going to designate it as autumnale ‘Major’. Regardless, this clone is a great choice for naturalized plantings. When used in the landscape this way, the green background of lawn is the perfect foil for the nice sized clusters of muted pink; the blades of the grasses keep the blooms erect and free from mud splatter. As with all the autumnale types, the volume of flowers makes up for their smaller size. Mid to late Sept.
$7.00 each
3/$18.00

Note: The initial planting stock that came to us labeled as byzantinum, and until 2024 was offered under that name, is now being sold as ‘Pink Star’.