Autumn Crocus — Bulbs
Colchicum autumnale
Full sun, light watering — hardy through cold winters.
- Sow
- Jun
- Plant out
- Aug
- In flower
- Sep, Oct, Nov
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Hardiness
- H5
- Season
- autumn
- Height
- 10–50 cm
- Spacing
- 10 cm
- Pets
- Toxic to pets
- Bee friendly
- Bee friendly
- Native
- Native
Growing notes
Grows to 0.1-0.5 metres. Space about 0-10cm apart. In flower Sep-Nov.
Toxic to pets
Autumn crocus (Colchicum) is severely poisonous to people and pets: every part contains colchicine, and eating it can be dangerous, causing severe vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and organ damage. Wear gloves when handling the corms, never store them with food, keep children and pets well away, and don't confuse it with the spring crocus. If a person eats any, get medical advice at once; if a pet does, contact a vet immediately.
→ NHS 111 for a person; your vet or the Animal PoisonLine for an animal