Brandushka or Bulbocodium

Family Colchicaceae. Name: derives from the Greek words 'balbos' - bulb and 'kodion' - small skin, and probably refers to the nature of the protective scales of the corm.

Description: the genus is represented by one species, occurring in Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and the southern regions of Ukraine. Low cormous, stemless perennials, reaching 8 cm in height during flowering. According to current views, the genera Brandushka (Bulbocodium) and Colchicum (Colchicum) are the same.

Location: they achieve best development in open, sunny sites, but also do well in areas shaded during the first half of the day.

Soil: undemanding as to soil, but prefer fertile, well-drained, moderately moist soils.

Propagation: Seeds are produced rarely in cultivation, but although slowly, it reproduces vegetatively very reliably. The mother bulb in a season on average produces one offset about half its size. For better formation of the corm, Brandushka needs regular feeding with complex mineral fertilizers, applied in spring over the snow or in late autumn. Every 3–4 years, but possibly less often, the clump is dug up and the offsets are separated. The planting depth of bulbs is 10–12 cm at 10 cm spacing. Seedlings flower in the 5th–6th year after sowing.

Use: in borders and group plantings or in a rock garden among other low-growing plants. Overall this plant is quite hardy in cultivation and deserves widespread use.

Companions: they combine well with early spring flowers such as winter aconites (Eranthis), anemones (Anemone) — wood anemone (A. nemorosa), A. blanda, A. ranunculoides and sweet violet (Viola odorata), which form a continuous carpet covering the open ground between shrubs and trees.