Colchicum speciosum Album (Colchicum)
Regarded as one of the very best large-flowered colchicums, award-winning Colchicum speciosum ‘Album’ bears large, goblet-shaped, pristine white flowers.
Regarded as one of the very best large-flowered colchicums, award-winning Colchicum speciosum 'Album' bears large, goblet-shaped, pristine white flowers. Appearing long before the leaves, the attractive blooms are borne on stiff and sturdy stems. Robust, they will not be beaten down and ruined by rain. This cormous perennial makes a truly unique display in the late summer to early fall garden. Resembling crocuses with its cup-shaped flowers, it produces its strap-like, bright green leaves, way later, in spring. Ridiculously easy to grow, all parts of this plant are poisonous, therefore it is diligently ignored by hungry deer, rabbits, and other critters.
- Growing up to 6-12 inches tall and wide (15-30 cm), this Colchicum naturalizes easily and will come back year after year!
- Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society for its outstanding qualities
- Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade.
- Stunning in front of shrubs, among low-growing perennials, woodlands, meadows, around patios or along walkways.
- Generally disease free. Watch for slugs.
- To be planted 7 in. deep (17 cm) and 4 in. apart (10 cm) in late summer for bloom the same year in fall.
- Propagate by seed, sowing in containers in an open frame when ripe or separate corms when dormant in summer.
- All parts are highly toxic by ingestion. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling.
- Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses, toxic to humans.
- Native to mountainous areas of northern Turkey, the Caucasus and northern Iran.
Requirements
Hardiness | 4 – 9 |
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Heat Zones | 1 – 9 |
Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 |
Plant Type | Bulbs, Perennials |
Plant Family | Colchicum – Autumn Crocuses |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Summer (Late)Fall |
Height | 6" – 1' (15cm – 30cm) |
Spread | 10" – 1' (25cm – 30cm) |
Spacing | 4″ (10cm) |
Depth | 7" (17cm) |
Water Needs | Low, Average |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Plant of Merit, Showy |
Tolerance | Deer, Rabbit |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Pathways, Patio and Containers, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage |