About

Colchicum 'Glory of Threave' is a perennial plant that grows from corms and features slender, upright flowers that emerge in the autumn. Each flower consists of a cup of glossy, pinkish-purple petals, centered with a white star, and attached to a dark purple perianth tube. In spring, it produces narrow, semi-erect leaves that reach around 20 cm in length, which will fade by summer.

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
Soil type
Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H5

Plant details

Plant type
Bulbs
Habit
Columnar upright, Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0-0.1 metre
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
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
Plant 10cm deep in summer or early autumn in deep, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny site. Bulks up well and can be naturalised, even in rough grass
Pruning
No pruning required; allow leaves to die down naturally
Propagation
Propagate by separating corms when dormant in summer
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to grey moulds