About

Colchicum 'Little Woods' is a small, corm-based perennial that reaches a height of approximately 10 cm. In the spring, it produces narrow, strap-like green leaves that emerge after the funnel-shaped flowers, which are lilac-pink and bloom in autumn.

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

Plant details

Plant type
Bulbs
Habit
Clump forming
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
Up to 10cm
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, 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, moist but well-drained, deep, humus-rich, fertile soil in an open site in full sun in summer or early autumn. Intolerant of waterlogging. See bulb cultivation for further advice
Pruning
No pruning required
Propagation
Separate corms when dormant in summer
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to slugs
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to grey moulds (Botrytis), smuts, and tulip grey bulb rot