Colchicum autumnale
("Naked lady / Autumn crocus / Meadow saffron")
One of the earliest blooming species. Delicate small blooms. Grows wild in meadows especially on limestone.
What You Need To Know Before You Plant:
When Will This Flower Bloom?
Early Fall
When Should I Buy and Plant These Bulbs?
Very Early Fall
What Kind of Light Does This Bulb Prefer?
Sun to partial shade
What Color Will the Flower Be?
Purplish-pink
How Far Apart Should I Plant These Bulbs?
4 in / 10 cm
How Deep Should I Dig?
7 in / 18 cm
How Tall Will It Grow?
8-10 in / 20-25 cm
Recommended Number of Bulbs Per Square Foot?
5
Is It Deer/Critter Resistant?
Yes
How Can I Best Use It in My Landscaping?
In front of shrubs, around trees, among low-growing perennials, woodland gardens or natural grassy areas.
What Should I Do After Flowering?
Let them die down naturally. Once established, each corm increases annually. Divide the clumps when they begin to look crowded. This is best done at or just after flowering so you don't interrupt the active growth of the leaves later on. Lift the entire clump and separate the individual corms. Replant immediately. Enrich the soil by adding compost, well-rotted manure or a handful of bulb fertilizer.
Other Popular Varieties
(Besides the species itself); 'Alboplenum' (white, double flowering), 'Album' (white) and 'Pleniflorum' (rosy-pink, double flowering).
About the Family
Colchicum Family
Native to West Asia, Europe and parts of the Mediterranean coast.
Read More About the Family