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No Quibble GuaranteeHow to grow Colchicum
Colchicum, also known as Naked ladies or Autumn Crocus, unusually flower in autumn, with their grass-like foliage not appearing until late winter and spring.
Cormous perennials well-suited to growing in containers, under trees, amongst shrubs or along walkways, they are attractive to pollinators, providing a late source of pollen.
Growing to between 10-50cm tall, dependent on the variety, a peculiarity of the family is that when cut to bring inside your home, they do not need water – you can even grow the corms on a windowsill, in a saucer with no compost or water.
Key Information
Soil pH
Position
Hardiness
Where & when to plant Colchicum
Best planted in late summer and early autumn, while they are dormant, the tops of the irregular shaped, dark brown corms should be positioned just above the level of the soil.
Requiring well-drained soil, Colchicum are unfussy on pH balance. Preferring a sunny spot, they can cope with shade although the flowers will be smaller and fewer.
How to plant Colchicum
Use a good, multi-purpose compost if growing in containers and ensure the corms do not get waterlogged which will cause them to rot, by introducing sharp sand or grit when planting.
Colchicum are happy to naturalise in a grassy area, coming back year after year, making an incredible clump.
What to plant with Colchicum
Colchicum look amazing when planted as a drift amongst grasses or as part of a wildflower meadow. Try growing with Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens for a natural style with a modern twist and for contrasting foliage. They also perform well as underplanting for roses and shrubs such as Cephalanthus occidentalis, or to enhance your containers alongside Asters or Helenium later in the growing year. Flowers range in colour from the palest of pink and purple to pure white, dependent on variety.
How to care for Colchicum
Easy to grow and low maintenance, Colchicum do not require much care, to encourage the best blooms, the clumps should be lifted, split, and replanted every three to four years.
Colchicum do not need to be watered, even during a hot summer, as the first rain of the autumn will signal them to flower again.
Let the foliage dry and die back completely before tidying up, ensuring as much energy as possible is retained by the corm for the following year. Remember, if grown in grass, do not mow until the foliage has completely died back.
These bulbs are toxic to humans and animals, so keep away from your furry friends and wash your hands after handling the corms.
How to propagate Urginea
Urginea are imposing plants, creating a dramatic statement when planted alone, creating quite an impressive clump when they have naturalised.
However, when grown amongst grasses or interspersed Allium they look incredible.
When choosing companion plants, think about the growing conditions that are preferred by each plant. Maybe grow Urginia maritima with Allium Forelock, Moly or Hair – the almost globe-like spheres of blooms will hover above the foliage but will have faded by the time the Urginea flowers have fully developed so will not detract from the spectacle.
Whether grown in borders or containers, the period when the foliage is absent could be filled with a low growing, evergreen carpet of Delosperma Suntropics Purple, Copper or Red, which become covered with bright almost neon coloured daisy-like flowers from spring until the first frosts.
