Colchicum

( KOL - chik - um )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly called Meadow Saffron, Naked Lady or Autumn Crocus, these interesting flowering perennials grow from bulb-like corms. They enjoy full sun or bright indirect light and need regular waterings during their growth and blooming periods. Take care when planting these in your yard, as all parts are poisonous to humans and pets if ingested. Although they are commonly called Autumn Crocus, they are not true Crocuses. Underground corms send up large clusters of lavender, pink, rose, or white flowers in late summer or early fall. Leaves will emerge in springtime, and then die long before the flowers sprout from the ground.

Colchicum species and varietals

The genus Colchicum is a member of the plant family Colchicaceae and includes about 160 species. Autumn Crocus grows well in zones ​2-10, 14-24 or indoors. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Colchicum x aggrippinum
This garden hybrid between Colchicum variegatum and Colchicum atumnale is considered one of the easiest plants in the genus to grow. Flower petals have a checkerboard pattern of pink and white, and they bloom in late summer or fall.

Colchicum alpinum (Alpine Autumn Crocus)
This species produces delicate, purple flowers and is native to the Alps and Appinninis of Italy, Swizerland, France, and Sicily. It is cultivated as a garden ornamental in many areas of the world. Flowers are light pink to white, and petals are faintly lined.

Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Boys, Naked Ladies)
This species is native to Great Britain and Ireland, and are cultivated in temperate areas as garden ornamentals. Flowers are pink-purple.

Colchicum balansae (White Autumn Crocus)
These plants produce white to pinkish flowers in fall and are native to Greece and southern Turkey. 

Colchicum bulbocodium (Spring Meadow Saffron)
This alpine species is native to mountain ranges across Europe and is cultivated as an ornamental in many areas of the world. These plants are wonderful grown en masse in rock gardens, and reach between 3 and 4 inches tall when in bloom, and flower from April through June.

Colchicum x byzantinum (Byzantine Meadow Saffron)
This hybrid is of unknown origin, and produces pink flowers in fall that have petals with a prominent central white stripe. These plants are very reliably grown as ornamentals in gardens.

Colchicum cilicicum (Tenore Autumn Crocus)
This perennial plant produces deep rose-lilac flowers in late summer that have white striping on the petals and is a popularly cultivated garden ornamental species. Variety 'Purpureum' is a choice cultivar.. This species is native to Turkey and Syria.

Colchicum cupanii (Mediterranean Meadow Saffron)
This species is native to the Mediterranean region and produce white to pink-purple flowers in fall, alongside foliage. Some blooms open fully, creating a star-pattern, others remain somewhat closed, taking the shape of a cup. 

Colchicum luteum (Yellow Colchicum, Suranjan)
This native of central Asia, Afghanistan, Tibet, and Pakistan is the only species in the genus that produces yellow flowers. Flowers and foliage A number of cultivars are available for purchase as garden ornamentals, including 'Golden Baby' and 'Vahsh'. 

Colchicum macrophyllum
This species produces large flowers that have a pink and lavender checkerboard pattern on the petals. Leaves are produced in spring and are up to 16 inches long. These plants are native to Turkey. Greece, Crete.

Colchicum speciosum
This species of Natal Lily produces 12 inch tall reddish purple flowers in fall, after leaves have faded for the year back in summer. These are vigorous growers, native to northern Turkey, the northern Caucasus, and northern Iran. Varieties include 'Album' (with white flowers), 'Atrorubens' (with amethyst-purple blooms). 

Colchicum stevenii (Steven's Meadow Saffron)
In this species, leaves and flowers are present simultaneously. Flowers are pink and bloom from October through December, usually appearing after the first big rain of the year. 

Caring for Colchicum

These plants do best in undisturbed areas of the garden, and should be planted around 3 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart. During dormancy, they should be watered less but not allowed to sit in dry soil. They are also beautiful specimens when brought indoors; plant corms in bowls in 1-2 inches of pebbles, and filled with water to the corm base. Do not disturb clumps of corms more than once every 3-4 years; they do not always react well to roots being messed with.

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Colchicum
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 256, Colchicum
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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