Tony Sounds like a tall order to me! Why don't you suggest that she has saffron rice at the reception meal? Honour would be satisfied in this way, I should think. Or she could wear saffron robes... I wonder if Croydon refers to real Crocus, or to Colchicum? (although I'm not sure if Colchicum autumnale was ever found in Surrey) John Grimshaw Dr John M. Grimshaw Garden Manager, Colesbourne Gardens Sycamore Cottage Colesbourne Nr Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 9NP Website: http://www.colesbournegardens.org.uk/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tony Goode" <member@thealpinehouse.fsnet.co.uk> To: <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2004 8:43 PM Subject: [pbs] Cold Treatment of Crocus > I have received an unusual request abut Crocuses. Having no practical experience I thought I'd pass the question around. The enquiry in full is copied below: > > "I come from Croydon in South London (UK); the town's name is Anglo-Saxon for saffron or crocus valley. Being born & bred in Croydon, I would like to use a crocus in my wedding bouquet next summer (3 July in Norfolk), but are there any species that flower this late? If so, where can I get some bulbs or the growing plant from? Is it possible to force or otherwise trick a particular variety of Crocus into flowering later (i.e. in the summer) ? > I should be grateful for any help you can give me." > >