Colchicum speciosum ‘Atrorubens’ (Colchicum)

Award-winning Colchicum speciosum ‘Atrorubens’ is a fall-blooming Colchicum that bears large, goblet-shaped, amethyst-purple flowers with a luminous white throat. Appearing long before the leaves, the attractive blooms are borne on deep purple stems. This cormous perennial is uniquely displayed in the late summer to early fall garden. Resembling a crocus with its cup-shaped flowers, it produces its strap-like foliage way later, in spring. Ridiculously easy to grow, all parts of this plant are poisonous. Therefore, it is diligently ignored by hungry deer, rabbits, and other critters.

• Growing up to 6-8 inches tall and wide (15-20 cm), this Colchicum naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
• Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade.
• Stunning in front of shrubs, among low-growing perennials, woodlands, meadows, around patios, or along walkways.
• Generally disease free. Watch for slugs.
• To be planted 7 in. deep (17 cm) and 4 in. apart (10 cm) in late summer for bloom the same year in fall.
• Propagate by seed, sowing in containers in an open frame when ripe or separate corms when dormant in summer.
• All parts are highly toxic by ingestion. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
• Native to mountainous areas of northern Turkey, the Caucasus, and northern Iran.