Colchicum Species, False Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Ladies, Showy Colchicum
Colchicum autumnale
Family: | Colchicaceae |
Genus: | Colchicum (KOHL-chik-um) (Info) |
Species: | autumnale (aw-tum-NAH-lee) (Info) |
Synonym: | Bulbocodium antumnale |
Synonym: | Colchicum borisii |
Synonym: | Colchicum bulgaricum |
Synonym: | Colchicum crociflorum |
Synonym: | Colchicum orientale |

Category:
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Bulbs
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Good Fall Color
Smooth
Foliage Color:
Height:
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing:
3-6 in. (7-15 cm)
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Where to Grow:
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Pink
Lavender
White/Near White
Bloom Characteristics:
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Fallbrook, California(5 reports)
GARBERVILLE, California
Villa Park, California
Mount Prospect, Illinois
Roslindale, Massachusetts
Bucyrus, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Gold Hill, Oregon
Conway, South Carolina
Kennewick, Washington
Sedro Woolley, Washington
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Apr 10, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: The chalice-shaped lavender-pink flowers bloom without foliage in August/September, when many gardens begin looking tired. The flowers often fall over after a day or so---they are often grown through a low groundcover for support. I always look forward to their appearance, and I'm always disappointed that they last so briefly. |
Neutral | On Dec 26, 2011, FallbrookGardnr from Fallbrook, CA wrote: I dug up some of these bulbs from a friends yard after they had finished blooming in September (California). I planted them in my yard and they bloomed the first year after planting. They have not bloomed since!! I have some bulbs in the ground and others in a large pot with other plants...none of the them have bloomed in years. The leaves are lush & green then when they die off the blooms should appear. I do nothing for them so I wonder what I need to do to get them to bloom. I see them in the wild in Fallbrook, Ca. where no one has attended to them..so what gives with them not blooming for me? If anyone can offer up a solution, it would be appreciated. |
Positive | On Sep 13, 2005, Scorpioangel from Gold Hill, OR (Zone 7a) wrote: A great filler plant in the spring ... nothing like glossy green leaves to make you want to get out and get ready for the coming show of spring flowers. Then after the dry summer, when not much else around here is in bloom, they start poking out of the ground. They are a welcome site this time of year when all the potted plants are being stored away for protection. |
Positive | On Oct 26, 2004, Howard_C from St John's, NL wrote: The pure wild species is a bit shapeless, with its paddled shaped petals which open wide leaving gaps between them, but the two white varieties (probably hybrids) are much better. Look good en masse. |
Positive | On Sep 8, 2004, daryl from vernon, BC (Zone 6a) wrote: I agree, they do of course have leaves in the spring,quite large actually (I'll take a pic in the spring).Also they can be used as a diuretic,but a word to the wise, they are also highly toxic and there can be serious consiquences to an overdose!!! |
Positive | On Feb 28, 2003, albleroy from Wavre/ greenhous +/- 2500 species, IA wrote: Excuse me, but this plant does have leaves during springtime(vegetative period), and is flowering after summer rest with, indeed only the flowers. In Dutch we name it "herfst stijlloze" what means wearing flower in fall without leaves. |
Neutral | On Aug 8, 2001, killerdaisy from Dallas, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: These bulbs produce ONLY flowers, which arise in little clusters directly from the ground, with no foliage supporting them. Allow for abundant watering while active. |