Scent in Colchicum

Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com
Wed, 20 Sep 2006 18:38:06 PDT
Few things will get a plant into this garden as quickly as good scent; I'm
always on the lookout for well scented plants. 

I've seen some references to pleasant scents in some Colchicum, but when I
try the plants in question I don't get much. For instance, some have
described some forms of Colchicum bivonae and its hybrids as well scented,
but I have yet to come across a pleasantly scented one. 

But this week I was pleasantly surprised to discover that little Colchicum
parlatoris (the pale flowers are about the size of a quarter, if that) is
very agreeably scented. The scent reminds me of that of saffron crocus with
maybe an undertone of musk: very nice and there is plenty of it! I don't
think anyone would nominate Colchicum parlatoris as one of the more
prepossessing members of the genus on the basis of its appearance, so this
delicious scent really is a saving grace.

Can anyone suggest other species which are well scented? 

Jim McKenney
Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where I uncovered the
Eremurus-Colchicum-Crocus end of the raised bulb bed today in the hope that
it will rain soon. 


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