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Planting Autumn Crocus (Colchicum)

I don't believe I have ever grown autumn crocus ( colchicum - I love to say that word) -  although we did inherit one when we moved into this house. I moved it, and apparently it did not like that because I never saw it again. I have always wanted to grow it, but I always think about it at the wrong time of year. Plus, I never see it at nurseries (not even at Yard N' Garden Land). When a friend offered me some, I said YES. She gave me one special one called "Waterlily" and several that I guess we would call the  "average one".  'Waterlily' The question then was where on earth would I would plant them. I read that they are nice in grassy areas so I then decided to plant them along the grassy pathway in front. (This pathway is about to become a gravel pathway as I am refusing to water it daily. Michael wins this battle and gets to do the "told you so" dance .) I decided to tuck the primo one at the corner of the path next to this pot. Diggin...

Oakleaf Hydrangeas

The oakleaf hydrangea has something to offer in every season (flowers, leaves, bark) and they are stunning in fall with their blazing foliage. These photos were taken the day before Thanksgiving, before we started getting rain and cold temperatures.





















Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Yours really take on beautiful color! You're right about how much seasonal interest they add year round. Mine didn't really get a chance get fall color this year. In fact one gets powdery mildew by the end of summer, do you ever see that on any of yours?

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  2. That is a beautiful color for Fall. Just in time for the season......Julian

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  3. I just love this shrub. I have only one. Seeing yours makes me want to hunt for another one to put someplace.

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  4. I can't think of any reason to not grow this plant.

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  5. I am so lucky to have one in my yard Phillip. They are just beautiful and are always doing something all year long!! What beautiful photos of yours!

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  6. I, like everyone, love the blooms of the other hydrangeas. I have fallen in love with this one for its leaves. Lives through the heat and drought of Texas and has larger leaves that provides a colorful show in the fall.

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  7. Oooh! I love this one! Anything that makes beautiful fall foliage is a must for me. Gotta get me one next year!
    Thanks for sharing, Dee.
    Kelly

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  8. Next year mine will look similar, it's still a little small right now. You know, it's leaves have had wonderful color though.

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  9. Great photos! Have you ever visited Aldrige Botanical Garden at Birmingham? It is a relativly small garden, but well worth the drive with a treasure trove of hydrangeas....

    http://www.aldridgegardens.com/

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  10. You're preaching to the choir here. I just love them. I'm still waiting to see blooms on 'Little Honey'. Hopefully, the repellent I sprayed will keep the deer from chomping on them this winter.

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  11. I have a Snow Queen Oakleaf which has produced several seedlings. I've been planting them along a dry creek. I think they will be spectacular when they get large enough to bloom.

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  12. What a delightful shrub~I've seen it massed and as a focal point and it's perfect either way! It looks wonderful with the crapemyrtle in the third photo. gail

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  13. I love the picture with the bench in the background, the first picture. I also love the last picture, the one with the round metal thing in the back. What is that round metal thing called?

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  14. So beautiful...I love that range of colors!

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  15. These are beautiful plants - thank you for sharing them with us. I'm going to see if I can buy any this weekend ..

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