Species autumn crocus
light-purple flowers with white filaments and orange anthers

autumn crocus

Colchicum tenorei

The Autumn Crocus (Colchicum tenorei) is an amazing flowering bulb that brings delicate beauty to the changing autumn landscape. Its cheery, cup-shaped lilac-pink blooms burst into life in late September and October, lending an unexpected burst of color as the summer blooms fade away. This hardy flower can survive without needing to be replanted each year and it propagates easily by self-planting. Its sweet, subtle fragrance is an added bonus! The autumn crocus is a stunning choice for any fall garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cormlet Propagation,Seed Propagation,Offsets,Leaf Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

Pale violet to rosy pink Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

watering

For the best results, the autumn crocus should be watered deeply once every week during its active growing season. During hot summers, the soil should be kept moist but not overly wet. In the winter, autumn crocus should be watered very lightly, only enough to dampen the surface of the soil. It is important to give the plant a thorough soak every 2 weeks or so during the winter. This will help to keep the roots nourished without drowning them. It is also important not to let the plant sit in pooled water as this can cause rot and other fungal and bacterial issues. After flowering, the plant can be allowed to dry out a bit before regular watering resumes.

sunlight

Autumn crocus (Colchicum tenorei) prefers partial to full sunlight, but it should not be in direct sunlight for more than 4 hours a day. During the summer months, it can benefit from a few hours of direct sun in the morning or evening. In the winter months, when the sunlight is less intense, the plant can tolerate more than 4 hours of direct sun per day. However, it should be placed in a spot where it receives shade for part of the day. Placing the plant near a sun-facing window or in dappled sunlight should provide enough light for it to thrive.

pruning

Autumn Crocus (Colchicum tenorei) should be pruned in late winter or early spring, when the plant is still dormant before it begins its growth cycle in the spring. The pruning cuts should remove any dead foliage or weak shoots, and thin out the clumps of leaves and stems to create a more open and airy appearance. It is important to never prune more than 1-third of the plant at 1 time and to leave some foliage intact, as this helps to protect the plant and nourish it during the growing season. Pruning will also help to control the growth and size of the autumn crocus.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

September.

Hardiness Map