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December 2004 Telesonix jamesii November 2004 Ranunculus eschscholtzii October 2004 Crocus speciosus September 2004 Arenaria 'Wallowas' August 2004 Scilla autumnalis July 2004 Leontopodium souliei June 2004 Penstemon pinifolius May 2004 Draba rigida v. bryoides April 2004 Vitaliana primuliflora March 2004 Clematis hirsutissima February 2004 Lewisia pygmaea January 2004 Hymenoxis grandiflora Archive 2003 Archive 2002 Archive 2001 Archive 2000 Archive 1999 Archive 1998 Archive 1997

Plant of the Month October 2004 Crocus speciosus by Iza Goroff Crocus speciosus is a member of Iridaceae, the iris family. Among its 60 genera and 800 species are many plants suitable for horticulture and for the rock garden. The genus Crocus includes about 80 species, most found in countries around the eastern Mediterranean. Crocus speciosus is native to the Caucuses and northern Turkey. Although the species is divided into three subspecies, cultivated forms are sold by cultivar names without any subspecies designation. The cultivars of Crocus speciosus sold, such as 'Cassiope' pictured, have flowers large for a species crocus, about 2.5" (6 cm) across on a floral tube about 6" (15 cm) tall. Each corm may produce as many as six flowers. Like some of the fall blooming crocus it has no leaves during its flowering period. The hardiest fall blooming crocuses wait to produce their leaves (or at least, most of them) until spring. Its leaves are dark green, 1/8" (3 mm) or somewhat wider and about 6" (15 cm) long. Crocus speciosus is not fussy about sun or shade, but it is best with at least a half days sun. In cold climates its corms should be planted at least 4" (10 cm) deep in well drained soil. Since rodents can be a problem, it is best to imitate nature and plant the bulbs in rocky soil where the rodents find it difficult to dig. "speciosus" translates as "showy". Crocus speciosus is a plant to bring cheer in October when little else is blooming.