Colchicum × byzantinum 'Innocence'
Byzantine meadow saffron 'Innocence'
A vigorous cormous perennial with ribbed, strap-like basal leaves that emerge in spring and die back in summer. White goblet-shaped flowers, sometimes with purple tints at the tips of the petals, appear in early autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | White Purple | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Colchicaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a sunny position in deep, fertile soil that does not dry out. Intolerant of waterlogging. See bulb cultivation for more detailed advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sown in containers in an open frame as soon as ripe, or by division, separating corms when they are dormant in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
May be susceptibe to colchicum smuts, grey moulds and tulip grey bulb rot
Get involved
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