Colchicum autumnale , or Autumn Crocus, is a perennial herb with basal, slender leaves; long, tubular, 6 parted, purple-pink to white flowers that blossom in autumn (hence the common name). The flowers are very attractive to bees and butterflies. Native to southern Europe, Autumn Crocus can be found in meadows and damp woodland clearings on calcareous and neutral soils. Autumn crocus prefers a rich, well-drained loam in a sunny position with a PH in the range of 4.5 to 7.5. It will tolerate partial shade and summer drought, but not dry soils. Plants are hardy to about -4 degrees F (-20°C) and the dormant bulbs are fairly hardy and will withstand soil temperatures down to at least 23 degrees F (-5°C). Autumn crocus are typically planted from corms, which should be planted about 2 3/4 to 4 inches (7 - 10cm) deep. Divide the bulbs in June or July when the leaves have died down. Larger bulbs can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. Pot up the smaller bulbs and grow them on in a cold frame for a year before planting them out. The plant can be divided every other year for a quick increase. The Autumn crocus is also easily grown in grass and can be naturalized there, among shrubs, and by woodland edges. When grown from seed, the seedlings take 4 to 5 years to reach flowering size. The plants seem to be immune to damage from rabbits. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No serious diseases. Slugs may attack the corms. Fungal smut may attack the leaves. Poisonous and poses a particular threat to cats. More information on Colchicum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 8 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Five to eight dark green leaves to 10 inches long emerge in spring. Foliage gradually yellows and dies by early summer when the plants go dormant.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Star; Tubular
Flower detail
Flower stems emerge from the ground to 6 to 10 inches tall in late summer to early fall. Each stem bears a star-shaped, lavender-pink to lilac-pink flower. Fall flowers have no foliage, hence the additional common name of naked ladies.
Bloom time
Fall
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Central and Southeastern Europe
Distribution
Britain, Denmark south to Spain, east to Macedonia. Introduced into Kentucky, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Vermont.
Wildlife value
Noted for attracting wildlife.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Spring
Edibility
Highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Despite its poisonous reputation, it is sometimes used in the treatment of gout.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Lawn; Meadow; Woodland
Landscape theme
Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Foundation Planting; Mass Planting
Garden tags
#poisonous #problem for cats #problem for horses #problem for dogs #drought tolerant #showy flowers #border planting #contact dermatitis
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage
Problems
Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses
Highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested. Symptoms include cramping, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, increased blood pressure, respiratory failure, shock, multi-organ damage, bone marrow suppression. All parts of the plant, but especially the bulb, are poisonous.