Common Name: autumn crocus
Type: Bulb
Family: Colchicaceae
Zone: 4 to 7
Height: 0.50 to 0.75 feet
Spread: 0.50 to 0.75 feet
Bloom Time: September to October
Bloom Description: Pink to white to lavender
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy
Tolerate: Deer
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to light shade. Best in deep, humusy soils. Plant corms 3” deep and 6” apart in August for bloom the same year in fall. If necessary, dig and divide during the mid-summer dormant period. Will naturalize over time.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Colchicum is a genus of about 45 species of plants from alpine and subalpine meadows and hillsides in Europe, North Africa, West and Central Asia, North India and West China. Many are called autumn crocus because they bloom in fall but some species bloom in winter or spring. Species flowers can be purple, pink, lilac, yellow or white. In late spring, each autumn crocus corm sends up a clump of basal foliage (4-6 lance-shaped, dark green leaves to 14” long). Foliage gradually yellows and dies by summer as the plants go dormant. Naked flower stems rise from the ground to 4-6” tall in late summer to early fall bearing goblet-shaped flowers (to 3” long).
Genus name come from the abundance of the plant in Colchis, the Black Sea region of Georgia, Caucasus.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Watch for slugs and snails. Botrytis is an occasional disease problem. Corm rot is a concern in poorly-drained wet soils. Weak flower stems tend to flop. All parts of plants in the genus Colchicum are toxic to humans, especially the seeds and corms. Gloves should be worn when handling the corms to avoid possible skin irritations.
Uses
Meadows, woodlands, beds, borders or rock gardens. Good for pockets in the landscape where spring and summer plants are fading. Good around patios or along walks. Plant with low ground covers that may help support weak flower stems. Generally inappropriate for prominent parts of beds or borders because of the unsightly appearance of the spring foliage as it yellows and declines on its way toward summer dormancy.