Autumn Crocus

Colchicum (KOHL-chik-um)

Family: Colchicaceae Non-native Groundcover (<1 ft)

Colchicum , or Autumn Crocus, is a perennial herb typically found in pinewoods and mountainous regions. It is a genus of about 45 species of plants from alpine meadows in Europe, North Africa, West and Central Asia, North India and West China. The genus is called autumn crocus because they bloom in fall, but some species bloom in winter or spring. The flowers can be purple, pink, lilac, yellow or white. In late spring, each autumn crocus corm sends up a clump of basal foliage. Foliage gradually yellows and dies by summer as the plants go dormant. Naked flower stems rise from the ground to 4 to 6 inches tall in late summer to early fall bearing cup-shaped, 3 inch flowers. When cultivated it is often used as a houseplant, in a small garden space, along a walkway or border or planted in a lawn. Autumn Crocus prefers a site with medium moist, well drained, soil; full sun to part shade; and is not cold tolerant, sustaining injury below 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C). The plant does best in a rich loam that does not dry out rapidly. It is best grown in a bulb frame. To grow from bulbs, you should bury the corms to a depth of 3 to 5 inches (12.5 cm) and 6 inches apart. You can plant a bulb in summer for bloom that fall; however, plants can take 4 to 5 years to flower when grown from seed. If necessary, dig and divide during the mid-summer dormant period, but the plant will naturalize by itself over time. All parts of the plant, especially the bulbs, are highly toxic. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: This can be a difficult species to grow outdoors because of its susceptibility to slug damage.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 54 attributes.