The unsightly withering foliage of colchicum (sometimes inaccurately called autumn crocus). Now you don't
The "naked ladies" are now entering their dormant stage. I could not stand the mess any longer, so last night I cut them all off. They looked sufficiently dead to me.
In a couple of months they will rise out of the bare ground and be reborn into beautiful purplish-pink crocus-like flowers.
The term "naked ladies" refers to the fact that they bloom sans foliage. I had thought that term was reserved for Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna), but like so many common names in the confusing world of gardening, it also refers to cochicum autumnale.
I never know when to cut down flowers, like tulips, once they're done blooming...do I wait until the leaves are completely dead or can I cut them once the flower is gone?
ReplyDeletePea, the leaves should turn brown and flop over. They need to stay on to build energy for the next year.
ReplyDeleteI just cut down some tulips yesterday.
Ok thank you Zoey...I've been cutting them too early then...now I know better:-)
ReplyDeleteYou sure know your colchicums now, Zoey. No more thinking they're half dead tulips!
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