Colchicum autumnale

Softly, satin-sheened in mauve. They naturalise most effectively either in sun or partial shade where they often produce several flowers from each corm. An easy British native known as Meadow Saffron, Wychwood Forest and coastal west Wales has thousands flowering each autumn, but the leaves being poisonous to cattle they were dug out and destroyed in much of Britain.

Planting Instructions

They need planting 2-3" (5-8cm) deep, and 6" (15cm) apart. These smaller flowered forms will naturalise most effectively either in sun or partial shade but the mower will have to be restrained until the leaves wither away in late June (and the leaves are poisonous to grazing animals). Summer dormant and the flowers emerge without warning  (and with no leaves) in September after autumn rains. Beware of slugs in heavier soils. 

Plant Details

Flowers    September
Height      6" (15cm)
Hardy