Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Average garden soil with excellent drainage.
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Position
Full sun in spring, partial shade in summer.
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Frost tolerant
Good. Fall-blooming colchicums (C. autumnale) are hardy to -25F (-32C).
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Feeding
Fertilize with a balanced organic fertilizer in spring, when new growth appears.
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Companions
Colchicums make their green growth in spring, so they work well when grown with daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs. Flowers emerge in fall on bare stems.
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Spacing
Single Plants: 5" (15cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5" (15cm) with 5" (15cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Set out bulbs from mid to late summer, while they are dormant. Cover the bulbs with 3in inches (8 cm) of soil.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Colchicum bulbs are expensive, but will persist for years in good locations. Colors include pink, white and lavender.
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Harvesting
Despite their short stems, colchicums make good cut flowers. Harvest when the buds are just beginning to open. Allow unharvested flowers to remain in the garden until they set seed, if possible.
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Troubleshooting
Mark the location of your colchicums with stones or a garden ornament so you don’t accidentally dig them up. In late spring, allow the foliage to die back naturally.
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