Colchicum 'Autumn Queen'

RHS Plant Profile

meadow saffron 'Autumn Queen'

John Fielding

Synonyms

Colchicum 'Prinses Astrid'

Bulbs

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Colchicaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: 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. Increases well and can be naturalised in grass

Propagation

Propagate by separating corms when dormant in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

No pruning required; allow leaves to die down naturally

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey moulds