What's this crocus?

[annew]

A forum member from New Zealand just popped in (!) to ask if I knew what this crocus is. It is autumn-flowering with quite large flowers and is very vigorous. Can you help?

[Matt T]

Following the key in Janis's book, I get C. serotinus salzmanii?

[Maggi Young]

It is autumn-flowering with quite large flowers and is very vigorous

Isn't that just a  very happy sentence?

Crocus serotinus salzmanii  fits the bill.
I think that  not all are lucky enough to find it "very vigorous" - great news when it does perform well.

[Lesley Cox]

Is this the same as what was called C. asturicus? I'm pretty sure that had a name change sometime. My "asturicus" looks just like this, though a little deeper in colour, and yes, very vigorous, as are all these of similar names. (Though now I think about it, I'm sure mine are in flower with their leaves, though shortish.)

[Matt T]

Yes Lesley, C.asturicus is a synonym: http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-327139

Janis says: "...Crocus serotinus subsp. salzmanii, is ... the most variable in the entire C. serotinus complex ... The flowers are scentless but very variable in shape and colour ... Likewise, leaf development varies greatly..."

He also says: "...those from the northern part of the range are more vigorous and easier in gardens."

I agree with Maggie, these autumn Crocus are plants to make you happy.

[annew]

Thanks, folks.

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks Matt. Yes, I agree with Maggi too. Plants to make you happy. These autumn species seems to flourish and flower so much more prolifically than the spring ones. Not that those are mean with their flowers, on the contrary but the autumn ones make wonderful thick, crowded clumps, absolutely solid with bloom while the spring crocuses seem each to remain as single plants, even if a lot of them together, if you see what I mean.

A lot of my "spring" crocuses are already in bloom, though getting rained out of existence. Forms of sieberi, biflorus, cvijicii, and minimus albus are all out and have been for a couple of weeks and its well short of the winter solstice as yet. I hope there are still plenty to come in the spring!

[Matt T]

I see what you mean precisely Lesley. This year I'm adding some - but if I'm truthful, A LOT - of autumn-blooming Crocuses to my collection. Winter/spring is pretty well covered by the Narcissus, which are my first love. So, these beauties will give plenty of interest at the beginning of the bulb season. Any spare time in the summer is pretty well taken up in the vegetable plots, so I'm thankful that the bulbs are dormant then!!