- Botanical name: Colchicum 'Waterlily'
- Common name: Autumn crocus
- Family: Colchiaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
Blue
Green
- Key features:
- Flowers
Although often called autumn crocus, colchicums are not related to true crocuses. There are winter- and spring-flowering species, but the most common ones bloom in September and October. They flower when least expected, the large blooms suddenly appearing from the bare earth without any leaves – hence the common name naked ladies.
Colchicum ‘Waterlily’ bears dramatic, double pink-purple flowers similar to water lilies. The large, floppy foliage grows in spring and is best if hidden by shrubs and herbaceous plants. It’s ideal for naturalising in grass or at the front of a sunny border.
All parts of the plant are poisonous, so wear gloves when handling the bulbs.
How to grow Colchicum 'Waterlily'
-
Plant size
10cm height
10cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Front
- Sun exposure: Dappled shade, full sun
- Hardiness: Hardy
- Soil type: Acidic / chalky / alkaline / well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does not flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does flower in September |
O
Plant does flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Divide |
J
Do not Divide in January |
F
Do not Divide in February |
M
Do not Divide in March |
A
Do not Divide in April |
M
Do Divide in May |
J
Do Divide in June |
J
Do not Divide in July |
A
Do not Divide in August |
S
Do not Divide in September |
O
Do not Divide in October |
N
Do not Divide in November |
D
Do not Divide in December |
Colchicum 'Waterlily' and wildlife
Colchicum 'Waterlily' has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Colchicum 'Waterlily' poisonous?
Colchicum 'Waterlily' can be toxic.
Toxic to Cats
Toxic to Dogs
Toxic to Horses
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
