Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Colchicum bornmuelleri
Autumn Crocus
- Family
- Colchicaceae
- Height
- 6-8 inches tall
- Width
- 6-12 inches wide
- Flower color
- Lavender to pinkish-purple
- Foliage color
- Deep green leaves (emerge after flowering)
- Bloom time
- Fall, typically September to October
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; cut back foliage after it dies down
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 5-9
- Wildlife
- Attracts pollinators, particularly bees and butterflies
About this plant
Colchicum bornmuelleri, also known as the autumn crocus, blooms in the fall, offering a beautiful burst of color when most other plants are fading. Its large, funnel-shaped flowers are a soft lavender-pink, with a delicate white throat that adds to their elegance. The flowers emerge from the ground before the leaves, creating a dramatic effect as they bloom amidst the late-season landscape.
Native to the mountainous regions of Turkey, Colchicum bornmuelleri is well-suited to rock gardens or woodland edges where its fall bloom can be appreciated. The foliage appears after the flowers have faded, providing a fresh green backdrop for the plant during the cooler months. This late-blooming beauty adds seasonal interest, thriving in well-drained, sunny spots and offering a unique pop of color to autumn garden beds.
Works well in
Borders · Cottage Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Rock Gardens · Containers
Companion plants
Catmint · Heucheras · Lady's mantle · Hellebores · Hardy geraniums · Hostas
Design tip
Late flowers extend the season, so set it behind or beside plants that finish in midsummer. Because it is easy about light, use it to carry a planting from a sunny end of the bed into the shadier side.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen in the perennial border at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
