Colchicum autumnale album

"Their naked flowers want the relief and grace of grass and foliage" so wrote William Robinson in 1894. This is the white flowered form, sometimes pinkish white, Easy to grow and will benefit from either a sunny spot or dappled shade with a free draining soil (moisture-retentive soil is fine but not waterlogged conditions). These appear from their summer dormancy, denuded of leaves, to flower in the autumn - hence ''Naked Ladies''. A pointer to the end of summer, their bright flowers last incredibly well considering their apparent susceptibility, the leaves only properly appearing in the spring.

Planting Instructions

They need planting 2-3" (5-8cm) deep, perhaps a little more for the bigger bulbs, and 6" (15cm) apart. These smaller flowered forms will naturalise effectively, but the mower will have to be restrained until the leaves wither away in the early summer (and the leaves are poisonous to grazing animals !). Dappled or light shade would be the best location and they are dormant in the summer so being dry at that time of year is no issue to them.

Plant Details

Flowers   September
Height     6" (15cm)
Hardy