Hi all I can't vouch for the veracity for this statement but I'll quote it anyway. It comes from Richmond E Harrison's "Handbook of Bulbs and Perennials for the Southern Hemisphere" [3rd rev. ed., 1971, page 69] "C. autumnale and its various forms will naturalise readily in light pasture where the flowers are most picturesque. In parts of Samoa, it can be seen growing wild by the thousands in open areas, which serves to show that this species at least is quite at home in a warm climate" Peter in Sydney where rain is promised but I won't hold my breath -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Paul LICHT Sent: Thursday, 13 February 2014 3:44 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: Re: [pbs] Colchicum for the south,was Blue bulbs in bloom mid February Several accessions of Colchicum autumnale from Spain has been growing in the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley collection for about 25 yrs. An accession of C. lusitanicum from Portugal was planted in 2006 (I'm not sure of its current status). Paul -- Paul Licht, Director University of California Botanical Garden 200 Centennial Drive Berkeley, CA 94720 (510)-643-8999http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu On Wed, Feb 12, 2014 at 7:52 PM, Russell Stafford <russell@odysseybulbs.com>wrote: > Many colchicums should do well in coastal California; numerous > species are native to the Mediterranean, including (in addition to > the ones Jane mentioned) C. bivonae, C. boissieri, C. parlatoris, C. > macrophyllum, and on and on. > > The most satisfactory winter-/spring-blooming colchicum here has been > C. szovitsii and its cultivars such as 'Tivi' and > 'Vardaovit'. Reliably perennial, with relatively large and > substantial flowers that are usually effective for several weeks from > March into April. > > Russell in Lancaster, Massachusetts -- zone 6a -- and bracing for yet > another "significant winter storm" > > > Russell Stafford > Odyssey Bulbs > PO Box 382 > South Lancaster, MA 01561 > 508-335-8106 > http://www.odysseybulbs.com/ > http://www.facebook.com/odysseybulbs/ > > > --- > This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus > protection is active. > http://www.avast.com/ > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ >