Description
A gorgeous colour variation of Crocus rujanensis which appeared in seed-raised stocks of the type plant. In fact the colour variation appeared twice, in two separate stocks, of C. rujanensis but only one proved to be stable, the other reverted to a normal C. rujanensis. The remaining plant has been cloned up and the stock that we have sold is clonal – we have only ever supplied this one clonal form. I mention this as seedlings have now flowered and have presented as a mixture of normal-looking C. rujanensis and others which are similar in colour and pattern to the colour Belphoebe. Looking at pictures, taken over several years, clonal Belphoebe does appear to vary, if only slightly, in the relative sizes of the coloured zones, from year to year and even between flowers within the stock and, in a few cases, between the flowers coming from one corm. It isn’t a lot, but there is a little variation, please be prepared for this.
The flowers are much more open and broad-petalled than normal rujanensis and they have a a larger yellow throat which displays well when the flower fully is opened, appearing deep orange if viewed from the outside of the flower. On the outside there is much more feathering of a well-contrasted and deeper purple-violet but with the creamy-yellow colourations of typical rujanensis retained towards the petal tips, the creamy-yellow being separated from the purple feathered zone by a white band. I can enthuse on this for a very long time, however seeing is believing and each spring it surprises me in the frames.
This is one of the most spectacular colourings in the whole of the genus, from the moment that you see the flower bud you will be enthralled by its very distinctive colouring. Once the flower opens, you will be in love with it! In terms of attraction and spectacle, this has to be in the top flight, along with C. sieberi Tricolor. The flowers incidentally are very large, easily the largest that we grow.
A fabulous new selection and one of the most fabulous Crocus forms, released in 2015 for the first time.
