Colchicum and fall crocus vary greatly in flower and corm size

Dear Helen: What is the difference between fall crocus and colchicum?

P.B. Confusion between the two arises because both are commonly called “autumn crocus,” but they are actually unrelated and vary significantly in both flower and corm size. Both are for sale at garden centres now.

Large colchicum flowers begin emerging in late summer. The foliage, also large, appears for a short time in spring. ‘The Giant’ is a goblet-shaped classic. ‘Waterlily’ is a fancy double flower.

Fall crocus corms and flowers are small, like those of spring-flowering crocus. ‘Sativus’ is the saffron crocus. ‘Speciosus’ flowers are beautifully veined in violet. Dear Helen: I want to plant a hedge that will form a solid wall, preferably 180 to 240 cm high, as a sight and sound barrier. I prefer needle-bearing to broadleaf evergreens. The plants need to be deer resistant.

D.B. If it weren’t for the deer issue, the deservedly popular emerald cedar (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’) would be a good choice for its rich green colour and the attractive foliage pattern of swirled bands. The plants can grow up to three metres or a bit more.

Deer will eat just about anything if they’re hungry enough, but the safest choices where the animals abound are juniper, spruce, pine and yew. Among these, many are too low or tall for your needs.

Personally, I’m very fond of yews for their soft, dark foliage, classy look, and minimal pruning needs. but they grow slowly. There are various upright, columnar forms suitable for hedging and within your preferred height range.

One of my local nurseries came up with two interesting options. One is a selection of Japanese cedar: Cryptomeria japonica ‘Spiralis’ — a dense plant with spirally twisted foliage that grows 180 to 240 cm high and wide. It is slow-growing.

The other is a ‘Goldcress’ cypress (Cupressus) called ‘Wilma’ featuring chartreuse, scale-like foliage in plumelike sprays. The plants grow to your desired height and 30 to 60 cm wide. They are lightly lemon scented.

As you begin looking to see which possibilities appeal most, bear in mind that the selection will be best in the spring. And though planting is possible in spring or fall, early spring is safer, especially if we have another outrageous winter.

If you are at all open to considering a broad-leaf hedge, have a look at some Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata) plants. The most beautiful hedge I’ve seen was a choisya hedge. The plants have soft, glossy green, fanshaped, fragrant foliage and beautifully scented May flowers. The plants grow 180 to 240 cm tall and wide. The hedge I saw had a golden-leaved variation called ‘Sundance’ at each end. Dear Helen: How do I find a source for a decent soil and compost mix to replace the very disappointing purchased soil in my raised beds? K.P. Because suppliers vary throughout the Island, to be sure of a good quality soil mix in bulk locally, the very best thing you can do is to start asking among gardening friends and neighbours. If you ask enough people, one or two prime sources will surface as suppliers of reliably high-quality soil for your beds. Whenever I’m seeking satisfaction from any major purchase or a particular service, this “word of mouth” method of information gathering has rarely failed.

Colchicum flowers appear beginning in late summer. The blooms, like these classic ‘The Giant’ flowers, are large. The corms they grow from are also large.

Mexican orange blossom (Choisya ternata) can be grown as a specimen plant or as a hedge. The ornamental leaves are glossy, the flowers citrus scented.