Overview

Colchicum variegatum is a clump forming bulbs in the genus Colchicum, part of the Colchicaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Colchicum variegatum grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, wildflower meadow, rock garden, underplanting of roses and shrubs and flower borders and beds.

About

Colchicum variegatum is a species of plant native to Greece and Turkey and cultivated in many other places. Colchicum variegatum is a perennial herb forming an underground corm. Tepals are broadly lanceolate, white, mottled with numerous brown or purple markings, sometimes taking the form of spots, other times forming a checkerboard or chessboard pattern. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, wildlife gardens, wildflower meadow, rock garden, underplanting of roses and shrubs and flower borders and beds. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant at appropriate depth in well-drained soil.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Colchicum variegatum

About the genus

Colchicum is a genus of perennial flowering plants containing around 160 species which grow from bulb-like corms. It is a member of the botanical family Colchicaceae, and is native to West Asia, Europe, parts of the Mediterranean coast, down the East African coast to South Africa and the Western Cape. In this genus, the ovary of the flower is underground.

Wikipedia contributors, "Colchicum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Colchicum

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Colchicum

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, East-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Colchicum variegatum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Bulbs

Habit

Clump forming

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens, Wildflower meadow, Rock garden, Underplanting of roses and shrubs, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Colchicum variegatum

Propagation

Seed, separate corms when dormant in summer

Pest resistance

Susceptible to slugs

Disease resistance

Susceptible to bulb grey moulds

Frequently asked questions