Colchicum speciosum
giant meadow saffron
A corm producing 1-3 deep purplish-rose flowers up to 8cm in length, with pale green or whitish tubes. Strap-shaped, rich green leaves to 25cm in length develop in spring
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Pink Purple | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Colchicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Potentially harmful
- TOXIC if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Colchicum are cormous perennials with usually coarse, broadly strap-shaped leaves which appear with or after the goblet-shaped flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- N Turk., Iran, Cauc.
How to grow
Cultivation
May be naturalized in turf. Grow in moist but well-drained, deep, humus-rich, fertile soil. Intolerant of waterlogging
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in containers in an open frame when ripe or separate corms when dormant in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Wildflower meadow
- Rock garden
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
May be subject to bulb grey mould
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