Colchicum 'Autumn Queen'
meadow saffron 'Autumn Queen'
A cormous perennial with robust, scented blooms in early autumn, each comprising a goblet of rose-pink petals, with a white throat, and purple, chequerboard markings, supported on a white perianth tube. Narrow, semi-erect leaves, to about 20cm long, are produced in spring, fading by summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 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 | Pink 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
- 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. Increases well and can be naturalised in grass
Propagation
Propagate by separating corms when dormant in summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- 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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