Scientific Name
Colchicum autumnale
Common Name
Fall Crocuses, Wonder Bulb, Mysteria
COLCHICUM
autumnale (Cultivars available with white, lilac and rose colored flowers.)
A. Flowering Characteristics
Colchicum flowers in late summer (August) and are 6-8 inches tall.
B. General Characteristics
1. Origin of species: Asia Minor and Europe
2. Common names: Fall Crocuses, Wonder Bulb, Mysteria
3. Geophyte organ: Corm
4. Hardiness type: Hardy II - Injured at temperatures below 14 degrees F (-10C) when planted.
5. Natural reproductive systems and growth and development requirements: Reproduces by offsets and requires a warm (60 to 70F) - cool (32 to 40F) - warm (60 to 70F) annual thermoperiodic cycle.
6. Primary uses: Beds, meadows, and woodland gardens.
C. Cultural Information
1. Bulb sizes: 13/up for most cultivars, some are larger.
2. Planting density: 1-2 inches apart, 10 per sq. ft.
3. Planting depth: 5 inches to base of corm.
4. Planting time: Summer
5. Perennialization habit: 1990 USDA Climatic Zone 4 with mulch, Zones 5 to 9 without mulch.
6. Light requirements: Full sunlight to PM or AM only sunlight.
7. Moisture: Tolerates summer drought.
8. Animal susceptibility: Not reported.
D. Companion Plants:
Coreopsis, Dendranthema, Hemerocallis (yellow cvs.), Kniphofia (yellow cvs.), Peonies (white and yellow cvs.), Rudbeckia, Salvia, Sedum, Verbascum (white cvs.), Buddleia, Hibiscus syriacus, Acer palmatum, Lagerstroemia.

Holland Technical Service Bulletin Number 37 was prepared for the WWW system by A.A. De Hertogh, L.B. Gallitano, G. Hartley, M.E. Traer, and A.B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University. The information was obtained not only from original research conducted by the authors but also from databases released by other sources. This Bulletin was published by the International Flower Bulb Center (IBC), Hillegom, the Netherlands on behalf of the Dutch Flower Bulb Industry. Because of the various climates in North America and year-to-year variability of the weather, the IBC cannot and does not accept responsibility for divergent results that may arise using information obtained from this document or site. Photographs copyright @1997 by A.B. Russell and A.A. De Hertogh. Computer programming by Miguel Buendia, graphics by Brad Capel.