Colchicum (Autumn Crocus)

Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Ladies, Fog Crocus, Meadow Crocus, Michaelmas Crocus, Naked Boys, Purple Crocus, Upstart

Colchicum, Colchicum Autumnale, Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Ladies, Fog Crocus, Meadow Crocus, Michaelmas Crocus, Naked Boys, Purple Crocus, Upstart

Colchicum (Autumn Crocus) is an excellent choice for adding color and interest to the garden in a season when many other plants are starting to wind down.

What is Autumn Crocus?

Colchicum, often known as autumn crocus, is a genus of 30 different species native to Europe, North Africa, Asia Minor, and Central Asia. They’re appreciated for their vibrant flowers, which emerge in autumn, providing a burst of color when many other plants are starting to fade. Colchicum is noted for its unusual growing cycle, with foliage appearing in the spring and flowers in the fall.

Habit and Size: The plant usually reaches a height of 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) and spreads 2-3 inches (5-7 cm). The leaves are broad and flat and generally emerge in the spring before dying back in early summer. The flowers then follow them in the fall. Discover 50 Vibrant Fall Flowers Perfect for Your Autumn Garden.

Flowers: Autumn crocus bears big, cup-shaped flowers in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, and white, often with intricate patterns.

Hardiness: Colchicums are hardy plants, suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 4-9. They are grown from corms and prefer well-drained soil and a sunny or lightly shaded location. Given the right conditions, they’re capable of naturalizing and spreading to create impressive displays.

Pollinators: These plants are beneficial to pollinators, as their late season flowers provide a valuable source of nectar.

Deer and Rabbit: Autumn crocus is generally deer and rabbit resistant, making it a useful addition to gardens that struggle with these pests.

Toxicity: Autumn Crocus is highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested by humans, cats, dogs, or horses. All parts of the plant, especially the bulb, contain the toxic alkaloid colchicine. Symptoms include cramping, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory failure, multi-organ damage, and shock. It may also cause contact dermatitis. Extreme caution is advised. Poisonous flowers and plants: Identifying toxic risks around you

Why Should I Grow Autumn Crocus?

Growing Autumn Crocus (Colchicum) in your garden can bring a multitude of benefits:

Late Season Blooms: Autumn Crocus blooms in the fall, a time when most other flowers have finished their show. They provide a fresh burst of color to your garden when you least expect it.

Easy to Grow: These plants are ridiculously easy to grow and maintain. They can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, though they prefer well-drained soil. They are also resistant to most pests and diseases, making them a robust addition to your garden.

Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Due to their toxicity, they are generally deer and rabbit resistant. This makes them an excellent choice for areas where these animals are a problem.

Beneficial for Pollinators: Their late-season blooms are a valuable source of nectar for pollinators like bees, giving them sustenance when other food sources are scarce.

Aesthetic Appeal: With their wide range of colors and crocus-like shape, they are an attractive addition to any garden design, be it in beds, borders, or containers.

Guide Information

Hardiness	4 - 9
Heat Zones	1 - 9
Climate Zones	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type	Bulbs, Perennials
Genus	Colchicum
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Fall
Height	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread	2" - 3" (5cm - 8cm)
Spacing	6" (15cm)
Depth	3" (8cm)
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Showy
Tolerance	Deer, Rabbit
Landscaping Ideas	Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles	Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Colchicum ‘Waterlily’ (Meadow Saffron)

With its showy, double-flowered blooms in silky lilac-pink, Colchicum ‘Waterlily’ is a standout choice for autumn gardens. This cormous perennial creates a unique display with its cup-shaped flowers and later emerges with strap-like foliage in spring. Easy to naturalize, it adds a burst of color and reliably returns year after year.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Height	6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)
Spread	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)

Colchicum agrippinum (Autumn Crocus)

The award-winning Colchicum agrippinum is an early fall-blooming perennial with distinctive, checkered flowers in purple-pink. Its crocus-like blooms appear before the leaves, creating a unique display in the garden. With strap-shaped leaves emerging in spring, this Colchicum grows up to 4-6 inches tall and easily naturalizes, returning year after year.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Height	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Spread	3" - 4" (8cm - 10cm)

Colchicum autumnale ‘Nancy Lindsay’ (Meadow Saffron)

Vigorous and award-winning, Colchicum autumnale ‘Nancy Lindsay’ is a small perennial with slender, mauve-pink flowers on dark purple stems. It blooms early in the late summer to early fall garden, with up to 5 flowers per corm. Resembling crocuses, it naturalizes easily and returns each year, growing up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Height	6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)
Spread	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)

Colchicum byzantinum (Meadow Saffron)

The award-winning Colchicum byzantinum is an early fall-blooming perennial that showcases up to 20 small, funnel-shaped flowers in soft lilac with a central white stripe. These blooms, appearing before the leaves, emerge on white stems, creating a unique display. With broad, ribbed leaves appearing in spring, this Colchicum grows up to 6-8 inches tall and wide, effortlessly naturalizing and returning each year.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Height	6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)
Spread	6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)

Colchicum cilicicum (Autumn Crocus)

Native to southeastern Turkey and Syria, Colchicum cilicicum is a fall-blooming perennial that showcases up to 25 small, funnel-shaped flowers in a charming rose-purple hue. These blooms emerge on short stems, preceding the lance-shaped dark green leaves that appear in spring. With a compact size of 4-6 inches tall and wide, this Colchicum readily naturalizes and returns reliably each year, creating a unique display in the fall garden.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Height	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)
Spread	4" - 6" (10cm - 15cm)

Colchicum speciosum ‘Album’ (Colchicum)

One of the finest large-flowered colchicums, award-winning Colchicum speciosum ‘Album’ showcases pristine white, goblet-shaped flowers. Blooming before the leaves, they stand tall on sturdy stems, undeterred by rain. This cormous perennial creates a unique late summer to early fall display, resembling crocuses. With strap-like, green leaves appearing in spring, it naturalizes effortlessly, returning year after year. Growing 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall and wide, it’s a garden favorite.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Height	6" - 1' (15cm - 30cm)
Spread	10" - 1' (25cm - 30cm)

Colchicum speciosum ‘Atrorubens’ (Colchicum)

Winner of awards, Colchicum speciosum ‘Atrorubens’ is a fall-blooming colchicum featuring large, goblet-shaped flowers in amethyst-purple with a white throat. Blooming before its foliage, the blooms emerge on deep purple stems, creating a unique late summer to early fall display. Resembling crocuses, it produces strap-like foliage in spring. Growing up to 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) tall and wide, this cormous perennial effortlessly naturalizes, returning reliably year after year.

Hardiness	4 - 9
Height	6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)
Spread	6" - 8" (15cm - 20cm)

Garden Design With Autumn Crocus

Designing a garden with Colchicum can add a splash of color and interest during the late summer and autumn when many other plants have stopped flowering. Here are some tips for incorporating them into your garden design:

Combine with Other Fall Bloomers: Colchicum pairs well with other fall blooming plants. Consider planting them alongside fall-blooming sedum, asters, and goldenrods to create a lively autumn display.
Rock Gardens and Borders: Due to their small size and attractive blooms, Autumn Crocus are excellent for rock gardens and front-of-the-border placement. Their blooms can create a carpet of color.
Underplanting Deciduous Trees and Shrubs: Autumn Crocus can also be planted under deciduous trees and shrubs. After these larger plants lose their leaves in the fall, the Colchicum will have their moment to shine.
Container Planting: Colchicum can be grown in containers. This is an excellent option if you’d like to move the plants around based on the sun’s position or showcase the flowers on a patio or deck.
Naturalizing: Autumn Crocus are ideal for naturalizing in grassy areas or woodland edges. They can be planted in large drifts to create a swath of color. They’re also great for underplanting with hostas or ferns.
Pairing with Spring Bulbs: Plant Colchicum bulbs with early spring bulbs. The spring bulbs will put on their show first, then, once they’ve faded and their foliage has died back, the Autumn Crocus will emerge for a second round of blooming.

Remember to plant them in an area where their toxic properties won’t pose a risk to pets or children.

Companion Plants

Autumn crocus pairs well with a variety of plants that can complement their growth cycle and provide aesthetic balance. Here are some companion plants for Colchicum:

Ornamental Grasses: They can provide an interesting texture contrast and their peak color often aligns with the Colchicum bloom time in the fall. Examples include Fountain Grass (Pennisetum) and Maiden Grass (Miscanthus).
Fall-Blooming Perennials: Pair Colchicum with other autumn bloomers to maximize fall color. Asters, Sedum, and Japanese Anemones are all great options.
Spring Bulbs: Plant Colchicum bulbs with early spring bulbs. The spring bulbs will bloom first, then once they’ve faded, the Colchicum will take over in the fall. Daffodils and Crocus work well.
Ferns and Hostas: As woodland plants, both ferns and hostas pair well with Colchicum. The ferns and hostas will provide lush foliage in the spring and summer, which will die back to reveal the Colchicum blooms in the fall.
Ground Covers: Low ground covers can provide a green backdrop that highlights the Colchicum blooms. Consider Thyme, Sedum, or Creeping Phlox.

When selecting companion plants for Colchicum, consider the light and soil conditions that Colchicum prefers – well-drained soil and a sunny to partly sunny location.

Companion Plants for Autumn Crocus

Cyclamen coum (Persian Violet)

Hosta (Plantain Lily)

Narcissi (Daffodils)

Tulips

Phlox subulata (Creeping or Moss Phlox)

Japanese Anemones

Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)

Helleborus (Hellebore)

Growing Tips

Autumn crocuses are relatively easy to grow. Here are some basic tips to ensure successful growth:

Planting Time: Colchicums are typically planted in late summer or early fall. They bloom in the fall, often before their leaves have even emerged.
Location: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade. These plants are not picky about light conditions but do best with at least some sun.
Soil: Colchicums prefer well-drained soil. They can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay, sandy, or loamy soils, as long as there is good drainage. If your soil is particularly heavy or prone to waterlogging, consider amending with organic matter to improve its structure and drainage.
Planting: Plant the corms 3 inches (7 cm) deep and about 6 inches (15 cm) apart. Place the corms with the pointy end facing up.
Watering: Water well after planting. After that, Colchicums will need average moisture during the growing season. Once they wither, the corm enters dormancy, and water should be withheld.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer in the spring when the leaves emerge for the first time.
Maintenance: Allow the leaves to die back naturally in late spring. This is when the plant is storing energy for the next growing season. After the leaves have died back, you can remove them to keep the garden tidy.
Division: Colchicums will multiply over time. If they become crowded or if you wish to propagate them, you can dig up and divide the corms in the summer when the plant is dormant.

Remember that all parts of the Colchicum plant are toxic if ingested, so handle with care and keep away from pets and children.

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Colchicum (Autumn Crocus)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.