Sharing is caring !
Colchicum blossom are drop - blossom , making them a great addition to your landscape gardening if most of your other flowers are spring or summer blooming .
genus Colchicum is develop for their hardiness and mere care indigence , in fact , they barely need any care at all . This perennial flower will produce back class after year and is a medulla flush , entail the plant will stock from a electric light as pit to seed .
Colchicum flowers come in a few dissimilar color varieties , with specter of purple , pallid pink , and ashen . These colors are vivacious and add together a gracious papa of color to the dusk ambience when most plants are starting to brown and grow darker specter .
There are n’t many reason not to institute genus Colchicum in your garden , as they need little to no care and will bloom beautiful flowers class after year .
What Are Colchicum Flowers?
The colchicum is a member of the lily family and grows in a alike manner to other morecommon types of lily .
genus Colchicum flower are plant of many names . Though the scientific name is simple – genus Colchicum – this plant is often mention to by its common name , which let in Meadow Saffron ( Crocus sativus or Saffron Crocus ) , Autumn Crocus ( declivity crocus ) , and Naked Ladies .
Colchium is a Word of God that instead just plainly refers to a large genus ofperennial anthesis plantswith 160 species of electric light flowers . It ’s a member of the botanic family Colchicaceae . Not all colchicum flush are likewise , either – in fact , there are many cultivars of this works , includingC. autumnaleandC.bulbocodium .
One component that makes the colchicum stand out from other flowers is that it blooms in the nightfall month between the commencement of September all the way to the last of November . Its blooms are burnished pink , purples , and whites that form in cup - similar shapes .
Colchicum flower are considered unfearing perennials in USDA hardiness zona four , five , six , seven , and eight . These geographical zone are the idealistic location for the Colchicum flowers .
Although you may assay to grow genus Colchicum in cooler or warmer zones , you may not have much circumstances . These flower want specific fall temperatures to flower and may not have the required resources to thrive in other clime .
Those who live in a climate that does not fall within the colchicum ’s hardiness geographical zone can consider engraft their flowers in a container that can be brought within ; the genus Colchicum does well as a container flower .
It is recommended that you plant genus Colchicum in groups of at least ten . Each fall flowering bulb will only produce a few clean flowers , so planting a decent number in a bunch together will give you a nice landscape gardening addition .
Colchicum bulbs are decently expensive — between $ 5 to $ 15 each — and not so well found , so if you are able-bodied to get your hands on some , you may not be capable to buy as many as you would like .
The respectable news is that you may easily split your colchicum flowers each time of year and can well get seven to eight bulbs from a single bulb within a few years .
Common Varieties of Colchicum Flowers You Can Grow
There aremany different blossom varietiesyou can implant . When it comes to genus Colchicum , certain change will bring you varying flower colour , so you may want to do some searching if you want a specific colour .
Different potpourri can also pay slightly different heyday figure and size of it , making each variety unique .
Giant Colchicum
The giant genus Colchicum is one of the enceinte varieties for both flower sizing and overall height of the works . The plant itself will acquire to be around 10 inch gamy , which is grandiloquent in the worldly concern of Colchicum ; the blooms are also exceptionally with child .
In early autumn , when show , each bulb from the jumbo genus Colchicum can acquire as many as ten flower . These flowers are large funnel - shaped , similar to a regular - sized genus Colchicum blossom , but longer .
The giant genus Colchicum is said to be a slight more frost insubordinate than other varieties , and some have had luck uprise it below the general hardiness zona compass . If produce in coolheaded climates , the plant may not live as long as it would have in its ideal zone range of four through eight .
Waterlily Colchicum
The waterlily colchicum ’s flowers are much different from that of a traditional genus Colchicum , and they make this variety endure out .
The peak reckon similar to a waterlily — hence the name — and come in ghost of pink to light purpleness . The pink empurpled flowers originate to be more or less six inches tall , and the flowers on top are of average size of it .
This variety is dissimilar in that it blooms a little earlier than most other genus Colchicum flowers . rather of the normal former September through November bloom time , this form is more likely to flower between August and October .
Colchicum Giganteum
The colchicum Giganteum is a more common form of the colchicum and is also one of the oldest variety . The flowers on this multifariousness start as a white color , and slowly change to a sick lilac people of colour over fourth dimension ; some bloom will end as a mix between the two colors .
The petals on the genus Colchicum giganteum are broader and funnel - shaped than some other smorgasbord which have smaller petals , create the flower see more like a Alexander Bell than a funnel shape .
This motley also has exceptionally broad leaves that open up in the springtime . The leaves are a more prominent feature on this variety than they are on most others .
Colchicum Bornmuelleri
The genus Colchicum Bornmuelleri is a more traditional - looking genus Colchicum efflorescence and is another that is reasonably unwashed . The bloom on this variety are a light purple , generally with white center and orangish anther .
The colchicum Bornmuelleri will only grow to be about six inches marvelous , defecate it a passably brusque plant life with flush headway to match .
This variety has little cup- or bell - shaped flowers that are pronounce to have a seraphic fragrance . The stems have no leaves and are bare , helping the bloom stand out .
Double White Colchicum
The double white genus Colchicum flowers are — you imagine it — livid in people of color . The bright white of these efflorescence helps them to stand out against other flowers you may have growing nearby .
The petals are more spread out than most other multifariousness and wait more like the waterlily variety than they do any other variety . The two-fold petaled blossoms only grow between four and six inches in summit , relieve oneself it one of the shorter mixed bag .
This variety grows its heyday in tight clusters , which is unlike most other colchicum diverseness . The bunch and spread - out petals create a beautiful look for any landscape gardening .
How to Care for Autumn Crocus
When it comes to caring for colchicum flowers , there is n’t much to be sound out . These flowers are reasonably ego - sufficient and can in general rely on the soil they are engraft in and rain to get all the nutrients they need .
Although these flowers may not take much of your help , there are a few things you’re able to do to place them up for success .
Sun Exposure
As with many efflorescence plants , sun exposure is of high-pitched importance . For the genus Colchicum , a full Sunday environment will mostly give way the best results . Most varieties can also be planted in a partially shaded location if a full sunlight localization is not available or preferred .
Since the colchicum is afall - blooming flower , you will most in all probability not have to occupy about the heat droop your blossom , crap shade optional , but not ask .
Colchicum efflorescence that are not queer to enough sunlight may not flower , or they may not have the Department of Energy to derive back the undermentioned year . If you plant your crocus bulbs in a location that does not cease up get enough light , you could move them while they are in a inactive body politic .
Soil
Well - drained soil is idealistic for the fall crocuses , although it is not incredibly picky . Well - run out soil will work comfortably because it is less likely to hold piddle around the ascendent , which can cause origin rot and other unhealthy traits .
If planting in a garden bed or container , ensure to add drainage so H2O does not pool .
Planting your genus Colchicum in soil that is rich in nutrients will also help to give it a good starting time . Soil that is in very poor condition can be append with fertilizers prior to planting if necessary , but for the most part , the colchicum can make do with any soil circumstance .
Watering
In world-wide , you will believably never have to irrigate your colchicum flowers . These flowers use water very expeditiously and can do with most any amount of rainfall , even in dryer month .
If you happen to be going through a drought , or have an unusually spicy autumn , you’re able to give your colchicum heyday a little superfluous boost by water them once a week , but be careful not to overwater them .
If the soil surrounding the genus Colchicum flower is dry often but is still receiving some rainfall , the flowers should be fine . These are much more likely to be damage by overwatering than they are underwatering .
Planting
It is recommend that you plant genus Colchicum flowers in groups of ten or more to create a mature - search plant . These deciduous tree diagram add a delightful touch to your garden during their blooming season .
Although each incandescent lamp can produce between five and ten flowers each — depend on the variety — most bloom are comparatively small and appear magnanimous and better in groups .
If you do n’t have enough plant electric light to make the group you need , you could split the bulb after each time of year which will speedily reproduce your bloom .
When you go to institute your bulb in the ground , you should plant them approximately four inches underground and lightly cover them back in with the grunge you removed to create the yap . If planting multiple , post them between 10 and 12 inch apart for best resultant .
Cutting Foliage, or Lack Thereof
In the other summertime , the foliation of the colchicum flower may get a niggling out of manus , bringing down the overall look of your garden or landscaping . As much as you might require to cut it back , this foliage is serve an significant design for your established plants and needs to persist intact to do its job .
The foliage is actually producing intellectual nourishment that the plant uses to make its beautiful bloom . This is one of the swelled reasons why fertilizer is not necessary for the colchicum flower .
Dangers of Colchicum Flowers
Although genus Colchicum may be beautiful , there ’s more than meets the center . There is a compound that can be found throughout the plant and heyday called colchicine , and it is venomous .
take in any part of the genus Colchicum plant or flowers can cause serious medical conditions and in some cases , death . Many domestic animal , such as cats and dogs , will by and large not have any interest group in the colchicum works , but livestock is another trouble .
If there is colchicum acquire in or near your pastures , it is a undecomposed estimate to polish off it immediately , as a graze fauna may not discern the fall crocus flush as something they should n’t eat up .
Small children are also at risk of ingesting the colchicum peak . If you have kid , you know they like to get into things they should n’t . It is recommend to never engraft colchicum flowers anywhere youngster may be wreak , or even where they might wander .
If this seems like an unacceptable task for your house , you may want to consider skipping the colchicum flowers until the child have grown or have moved out .
ingest colchicine that come from colchicum blossom is incredibly dangerous , and can lead to burning at the stake of the mouth and pharynx , diarrhea , belly pains , kidney failure , vomiting , respiratory failure , and even death .
Although you should never take in any part of genus Colchicum flowers for these reasons , there are some medical applications that are strictly administrate by medical professionals only . One of the main aesculapian uses for colchicine is to foreclose gout , a condition triggered by too much uric acid in the bloodline .
When colchicine is prescribe , it is return in microgram , which are 1,000 clip diminished than a mg , due to its aggressive propensity to negatively strike the eubstance .
FAQs
Can Colchicums grow in pots ?
Yes , Colchicums can be grown in pots or containers . Ensure the container has good drain and utilise a well - draining potting mix . locate the pot in a location with suitable sunlight and water as call for .
Do Colchicum bulbs multiply ?
Yes , Colchicum lightbulb can multiply over prison term through born division or by bring forth offsets . This allows the plant to spread and form clumps , resulting in more efflorescence .
Are Colchicums poisonous ?
Yes , Colchicums contain toxic compounds , including colchicine , which can be harmful if ingested . All persona of the plant , especially the bulbs , are toxic to humans and animate being . It ’s essential to handle Colchicums with care and keep them out of reach of minor and positron emission tomography .
What is the difference between Colchicum and crocus ?
Colchicums have tumid , showy flowers that blossom in fall , while crocus bloom in spring with smaller flowers and grass - like foliage .
ending
The colchicum peak can make a beautiful summation to your nightfall landscape gardening and is truly a plant - it - and - exit - it kind of flower . The blossom blossom in the early fall and boast vibrant colored bloom that are impossible to overlook .
If you are interested in planting genus Colchicum flowers , consider their poisonous expression ; it is not urge to plant them around grazing beast or youngster .
- range by depositphotos.com/Mickis-Fotowelt
