This is one of those 'rare as hen's teeth' occasions when I'm going to disagree slightly with Jane McGary.
> A couple of the species David mentions are almost impossible to
obtain as > bulbs, and rarely available as seed: C. boryi and C.
kosaninii. Neither is > spectacular, so you're not missing much
unless you're a dedicated > collector.
Crocus boryi is one of my favorite crocuses and does well outside here in a raised bed, flowering in October. You can see pictures of one very floriferous form here, together with C. tournefortii (in the same series).
http://johnlonsdale.net/Gallery/gallery.asp/… (boryi,laevigatus,tournefortii )
Crocus boryi is a very variable species, indeed, at times it is hard to
distinguish easily from C. laevigatus, to which it is closely
related. I have pure white forms, a spectacular clone with blue
feathering, a clone with grey feathering, and other seedlings coming
along. I should have seed and corms spare over the next couple of
years. I think you've also been a little unfair on Crocus kosaninii,
shown below, but I agree it is not generally available. I particularly like the purple stippling.
http://johnlonsdale.net/Gallery/gallery.asp/… and Cochicum pusillum: http://johnlonsdale.net/Gallery/gallery.asp/… The problem with many of these small bulbs is that they are very variable and forms more available (if available) in cultivation are not necessarily the most attractive - they build up very quickly though. As you might have guessed, I love crocus, and would
encourage everyone to obtain seed of as many as possible - you will
rarely, if ever, be disappointed. Growing colchicum from seed,
however, at least in my experience, is another very frustrating
matter........ J.
Dr John T Lonsdale
407 Edgewood Drive
Exton
Pennsylvania 19341 USA
610 594 9232 - phone
801 327 1266 - fax
Zone 6b