About

Colchicum 'Disraeli' is a corm-based perennial that reaches a height of up to 15 cm. It features goblet-shaped blooms that emerge in clusters close to the ground during the autumn months. The flowers exhibit a magenta hue, displaying subtly patterned petals with a white central area. In spring, narrow, ovate leaves develop after the flowering period.

About the genus

Colchicum are perennial plants that grow from corms, featuring typically coarse, broad, strap-like leaves. These leaves may emerge alongside or following the goblet-shaped blooms.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Bulbs
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0-0.1 metre
Time to full height
1-2 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens, Gravel garden
Toxicity
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

Care notes

Cultivation
Grows best in deep, fertile soil in full sun. May naturalise over time
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Propagate by seed, sowing in containers in an open frame when ripe, or by division, separating corms when the plant is dormant in summer
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to grey moulds