About
Colchicum speciosum Giganteum Group is a bulbous plant that blooms in autumn, achieving a height of approximately 30 cm. It produces large lilac flowers that emerge in clusters, with no foliage present during the flowering period. The broad green leaves develop in spring, well after the flowers have faded. This species is ideal for naturalizing in grassy areas.
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
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bulbs, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Tufted
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildflower meadow, 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
- Grow in good light in any moist but well-drained soil
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate from seed or division
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free