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Genus Colchicum (Autumn crocus, Meadow saffron)

Colchicum Colchicum 'Waterlily' Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of White Flower Farm
KOHL-chi-kum Common Name: Autumn crocus, Meadow saffron
The Colchicum genus is made up of 45 species of cormous perennials from alpine and subalpine meadows and stony hillsides in Europe, North Africa, Western and Central Asia, Northern India, and Western China. Often the goblet-shaped flowers precede the leaves or develop with them.
 Care: Colchicums have various requirements (see individual species accounts), but all should be planted 4 inches deep in summer or early fall.
 Propagation: Sow seed in containers as soon as ripe in an open frame. Separate corms when dormant in summer.
 Problems: Gray mold (Botrytis) and slugs may be problems.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Colchicum

Colchicum 'Waterlily' Colchicum 'Waterlily'
(Autumn crocus, Meadow saffron) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Semi-erect, narrowly ovate leaves 7-10 inches long appear in spring and disappear by summer, followed by large, fully double, rosy lilac flowers resembling the blooms of a waterlily.
Colchicum autumnale Colchicum autumnale
(Meadow saffron) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Meadow saffron is a cormous perennial with erect, lance-shaped leaves 5 to 14 inches long. It bears 1 to 6 goblet-shaped, lavender-pink flowers in fall.
Colchicum speciosum Colchicum speciosum
(Autumn crocus, Meadow saffron) Be the first to rate this plant
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This vigorous cormous perennial has semi-erect, lance-shaped leaves 7 to 10 inches long that emerge in spring, then go dormant in late May. In September, it bears 1 to 3 leafless, goblet-shaped, intense pink flowers with yellow anthers and often white throats.