Debbie Schilling
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
Colchicum byzantinum
Plant Common Name
Byzantine Meadow Saffron
General Description
Prized for its lilac-pink flowers that appear in late summer rather than in spring like those of most other "bulbs," this hardy perennial is a natural hybrid of Colchicum autumnale and Colchicum cilicicum. Native to Asia Minor, it has been known in gardens since the sixteenth century. Although sometimes called "autumn crocus," it is not related to the genus Crocus, which is in the iris family.
This plant 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, 3 months after the leaves have withered, as many as 20 goblet-shaped flowers arise on ankle-high, stalk-like floral tubes. Appearing before those of most other colchicums, the blooms have six oval petal-like segments. They open wide in bright sun to display the orange-yellow anthers and a white "star" with rays that extend halfway up the segments. The stigmas have purple, hooked tips. The large, rounded, somewhat flattened corms may double or even triple in number each year, eventually forming a large clump that provides a spectacular fall show.
Colchicums do best in full to partial sun and deep, moist, fertile, well-drained soil. The corms are often planted under low groundcovers like creeping juniper or ivy, which provide a green background and support the blossoms during wind and rainfall. This lovely perennial also is perfect for bringing new life to the late-season perennial garden or shrub planting. It works well in meadows and flowering lawns. The corm will bloom even if not in soil! Purchase the corms in mid- to late summer, so they can be planted before they bloom.
All parts of Colchicum contain the potent alkaloid colchicine; see http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Colchau.htm
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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Sunset Zone
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
3"-5" / 7.6cm - 12.7cm
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Width
6"-10" / 15.2cm - 25.4cm
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Bloom Time
Late Summer
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Native To
Turkey, Western Asia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam
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Tolerances
Drought
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Purple
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Cutflower, Foundation, Lawns and Turf, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Wildflower
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
