Colchicum 'Glory of Threave'
meadow saffron 'Glory of Threave'
A cormous perennial with tall, narrow blooms in autumn, each comprising a goblet of lustrous, pinkish-purple petals, with a white star in the centre, supported on a dark purple perianth tube. Narrow, semi-erect leaves, to about 20cm long, are produced in spring, fading by summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | Purple White | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Colchicaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright, 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Plant 10cm deep in summer or early autumn in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny site. Bulks up well and can be naturalised, even in rough grass
Propagation
Propagate by separating corms when dormant in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required; allow leaves to die down naturally
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey moulds
Get involved
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