(Colchicum)

Showy-flowered "bulbs" that are often overlooked because they mostly bloom late in the year rather than in spring, colchicums make excellent additions to the garden. They occur naturally from western Europe to central Asia and the Himalayas.

Colchicums produce goblet- or funnel-shaped flowers on ankle- to shin-high, stem-like floral tubes. Superficially resembling crocus flowers (leading to the misleading common name "autumn crocus"), they are typically produced in late summer or early fall,...

(Hybrid Autumn Crocus, Hybrid Meadow Saffron)

Prized for its amethyst-violet flowers that appear in late summer and early fall (rather than in spring like those of most other "bulbs"), this hybrid colchicum dates from the early twentieth century. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This hardy perennial produces large broad strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known as a corm. In late summer, some...

(Hybrid Autumn Crocus, Hybrid Meadow Saffron)

Delightfully fragrant, the violet-tinted rosy pink blooms of 'Rosy Dawn' robustly appear in earliest fall (rather than in spring like those of most other "bulbs"). Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the true crocus, which is in the iris family.

This hardy perennial produces large, oval leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known as a corm. In very early fall, about three months after the pointed leaves have withered, numerous...

(Hybrid Autumn Crocus, Hybrid Meadow Saffron)

Large in flower size and a robust display overall, the purplish blooms of 'The Giant' appear in earliest fall (rather than in spring like those of most other "bulbs"). Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This hardy perennial produces large, broadly oval leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known as a corm. In very early fall, about three months after the pointed leaves...

(Hybrid Autumn Crocus, Hybrid Meadow Saffron)

Fragrant, checkered pink-violet blooms of 'Violet Queen' appear in earliest fall (rather than in spring like those of most other "bulbs"). Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This hardy perennial produces large broad strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known as a corm. In late summer, about three months after the pointed leaves have withered, numerous...

(Double Autumn Crocus, Hybrid Autumn Crocus, Waterlily Autumn Crocus)

Prized for its exquisite lilac-pink fall flowers that indeed resemble those of its namesake, 'Waterlily' originated in the early twentieth century from a cross between Colchicum autumnale 'Alboplenum' and Colchicum speciosum 'Album'. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This plant produces large handsome strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ,...

(Hybrid Autumn Crocus, White Double Autumn Crocus)

With as many as 20 white tepals on each fall flower, 'White Waterlily' originated from a cross between Colchicum autumnale 'Album' and Colchicum speciosum 'Album'. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.

This plant produces large handsome strap-shaped leaves in spring, which gather energy for the underground bulb-like storage organ, known as a corm. In late summer or early fall, about three months...

(Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Ladies)

Like a welcome surprise, the lavender-pink, goblet-shaped flowers of autumn crocus pop up from the ground to confirm that summer has truly ended. The common name is misleading, though the flowers of this hardy "bulb" do superficially resemble crocuses, colchicums are not related to the genus Crocus.

Native from southern and western Europe to Russia, autumn crocus grows from plump corms (condensed underground stems) with papery tunics. In spring, these send up decorative large lance-shaped...

(Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Ladies)

Like a welcome surprise, the lavender-pink, goblet-shaped flowers of autumn crocus pop up from the ground to confirm that summer has truly ended. The common name is misleading, though the flowers of this hardy "bulb" do superficially resemble crocuses, colchicums are not related to the genus Crocus.

Native from southern and western Europe to Russia, autumn crocus grows from plump corms (condensed underground stems) with papery tunics. In spring, these send up decorative large lance-shaped...

(Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Ladies)

Popping its white, goblet-shaped flowers up from the ground in early autumn, this cheerful hardy "bulb" is certain to brighten the garden. Native to Europe and western Russia, it grows from plump corms (condensed underground stems) covered with papery tunics. They send up large lance-shaped green leaves in spring, which provide nourishment to the corm before withering and disappearing in late spring. In the waning days of very late summer or early autumn, white flowers on long white tubes emerge...