I grow a several clones of C. laevigatus in the open ground. They flower from October onwards and I would certainly regard it as primarily an autumn-flowering species. It also flowers in southern Greece in autumn, presumably taking its cue from the usual environmental factors of falling temperature and moisture availability. The old cultivar 'Fontenayi' is unusually purple in ground colour, unusually striped on the exterior and rather late to flower, certainly usually in December but occasionally into January. It is a handy 'bridging' clone to keep the Crocus season alight between the autumn and spring flushes. John Grimshaw Dr John M. Grimshaw Sycamore Cottage Colesbourne Nr Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 9NP Tel. 01242 870567 -----