naked boys
Arnold Trachtenberg (Mon, 26 Jul 2004 18:04:14 PDT)

The appearance of the large crocus-like flower at the front of
flowerbeds about this time of year stirs such contemplations. Some
neophytes swear they must be artificial. In shades of pink, purple and
mauve; surely they are made of silk? Botanists dubbed them for that part
of the south shore of the Black Sea from which they arose in antiquity:
Colchicum. Gardeners, a notoriously less formal crowd, variously know
them as either “Naked Ladies” or “Naked Boys.” Presumably the choice is
directed by their proclivities. Plant them now for a display in fall of
2001. Buy one or two extra and leave them on your desk. Within a few
days blooms will spring forth to amaze your co-workers. No pot, soil or
water is necessary. You should be aware though that they are poisonous.

Colchicum (autumn crocus, Naked boys, Meadow saffron) Colchicum sp.
+Dog tooth violet (Adder's tongue, Trout lily)

Naked Ladies all over the garden!

Several types of hardy Colchicum are available these days through garden
centers and specialty mail order bulb firms. Many gardeners still call
these Autumn Crocus, but that name is more correctly used for the
fall-flowering true Crocus species and selections. Naked Ladies or Naked
Boys are two slightly cheeky names that are sometimes applied to these
delightful fall bloomers, or just plain old Colchicum (KOL-chi-kum) for
the faint-of-heart.

Colchicum Autumn crocus, Naked Boys or Naked Ladies Leek like clumps
of green leaves in spring die back for summer. Flowers like large crocus
in shades of pink or white or mauve leap out of the ground in September.
Good under deciduous trees or shrubs.

I couldn't make this stuff up!

Arnold