Colchicum speciosum Atrorubens (Colchicum)

Award-winning Colchicum speciosum 'Atrorubens' is a fall-blooming Colchicum which bears large, goblet-shaped, amethyst-purple flowers with a luminous white throat. Appearing long before the leaves, the attractive blooms are borne on deep purple stems. 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 foliage, 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 6-8 inches tall and wide (15-20 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.