Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus)

Delivery August/September
Available for delivery in August/September, when the autumn planting season begins.

1 bulbs
£4.89
£4.89 each
3 bulbs
£12.99
£4.33 each
Save 11%
5 bulbs
£19.99
£4.00 each
Save 18%

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Bloom or Bust Guarantee

autumnale, often admired for its lilac pink colouring, is a bulb variety especially well suited to borders.

Colchicum autumnale is one of autumn’s most enchanting moments: refined lilac‑pink, cup‑shaped blooms rising cleanly from the ground just as summer begins to soften. Compact and quietly impactful, it lends an effortless air to borders, pots, and naturalised areas—particularly where you’d like colour to appear with a pleasing sense of surprise.

Plant the corms in early autumn and allow them to settle; this fully hardy perennial forms neat clumps and returns reliably, offering elegant autumn colour with minimal fuss.

  • Flowering: September–October
  • Height: 10–20 cm
  • Position: Full sun or partial sun
  • Soil: Well‑drained; suits chalk, clay, loam, or sand
  • Planting time: August–October
  • Bulb size supplied: 13/15 cm
  • Hardiness: Fully hardy
Botanical name Colchicum autumnale
Flower colour Lilac pink
Bulb size 13/15 cm
Established height 10-20 cm
Established spread 10-15 cm
Plant spacing 10-15 cm apart
Leaf colour Green
Habit Clump-forming
Life cycle Perennial
Hardiness Fully Hardy
Years to establish 1st year
Sunlight Full-Sun, Partial Sun
Position Borders, Lawns & Naturalising, Pots & Containers, Autumn Colour
Suitable for Borders, Lawns & Naturalising, Pots & Containers, Autumn Colour
Soil acidity Any
Soil moisture Well-drained
Soil type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
RHS Award (AGM) No
Growing skill Easy to grow
Pollinator-friendly Yes
Deer resistant No

Where to Plant:

Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus) needs full-sun, partial sun and a warm, sheltered position for the best flowering. Plant into fertile, humus-rich soil that drains well, and choose a spot protected from strong winds, especially for taller varieties.

How to Plant:

Plant bulb from August to October once conditions are suitable. Set them at the correct depth for the variety, spacing 10-15 cm apart apart where relevant, then firm in gently and water well after planting.

Aftercare:

Water regularly in dry weather and feed every two to three weeks once buds appear. Stake taller stems early and deadhead to keep plants flowering. After flowering, allow foliage to die back naturally before lifting or protecting bulb according to local conditions.

Planting and Flowering Calendar

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Key Features

Packed in paper

Packed peat-free

Great for Shade

Attracts wildlife

Naturalising

Colchicum autumnale - image 1

Colchicum autumnale (Autumn Crocus)

£4.89

£4.89

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Kind Words from Our Gardeners

Arrived quickly and well-packaged. Planted them in some pots on the patio and they all came up. Look beautiful. Thank you!

Careane Wallace

Oxfordshire, UK

The bulbs arrived beautifully packaged and you could just tell they were excellent quality. We had the most wonderful display of daffodils this spring on our patio. Simply stunning. Will definitely be ordering again

David P

Kent, UK

I ordered the mixed hyacinth collection and the scent in my garden this April was absolutely heavenly. Every single bulb produced a strong, beautiful flower and the colours were stunning together. A fantastic purchase, I'll be back for more next year!

Eleanor R

Somerset