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Colchicum autumnale (Meadow saffron)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.15m
Max height
Max height
0.1m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Colchicum autumnale
Other names
Meadow saffron, Purple crocus, Upstart, Meadow crocus, Michaelmas crocus, Naked boys, Naked ladies, Autumn crocus, Fog crocus, Colchicum pannonicum
Genus
Colchicum Colchicum
Species
C. autumnale - C. autumnale is compact, clump-forming, cormous perennial with erect, strap-shaped, mid-green leaves and goblet-shaped, lavender-pink flowers blooming as or before the leaves emerge in autumn.
Colchicum autumnale is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
All parts are highly toxic if eaten.
Flower
Pink in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green, Green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Slugs Slugs
General care
Pruning
No pruning needed.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Colchicum autumnale (Meadow saffron) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Meadow, Naturalised in turf, Rock, Underplanting, Wildflower
Cultivation
Plant in moist but well-drained, deep, humus-rich, fertile soil in full sun. Will not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Colchicum autumnale
Other names
Meadow saffron, Purple crocus, Upstart, Meadow crocus, Michaelmas crocus, Naked boys, Naked ladies, Autumn crocus, Fog crocus, Colchicum pannonicum
Genus
Colchicum Colchicum
Species
C. autumnale - C. autumnale is compact, clump-forming, cormous perennial with erect, strap-shaped, mid-green leaves and goblet-shaped, lavender-pink flowers blooming as or before the leaves emerge in autumn.
Native to
Europe
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming
Toxicity
All parts are highly toxic if eaten.
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Colour
Flower
Pink in Autumn
Foliage
Grey-green, Green in Spring
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
General care
Pruning
No pruning needed.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Colchicum autumnale (Meadow saffron) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Gravel, Meadow, Naturalised in turf, Rock, Underplanting, Wildflower
Cultivation
Plant in moist but well-drained, deep, humus-rich, fertile soil in full sun. Will not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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Colchucum autumnale
Colchicum autumnale
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