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Meadow Saffron

Colchicum Speciosum

Design with this plant

Overview

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum speciosum) is a striking fall-blooming perennial, showcasing vibrant, purple-pink, goblet-shaped flowers up to 6 inches tall, appearing before its strappy green leaves in spring. Thriving in USDA zones 4-8, it requires moist, well-drained soil and partial shade. Caution: all plant parts are toxic. Its autumnal blooms add a unique splash of late-season color, ideal for naturalizing in grassy areas or planting in borders and rock gardens.

Sun Full, HalfWater MediumZones 3–8Type BulbClimate Mediterranean
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Its autumnal blooms add a unique splash of late-season color; this captivating plant is commonly known for, image 96
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — purple flowers in the garden; the Meadow Saffron appreciates well-drainedMeadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — especially during dry spellsMeadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — this captivating plant is commonly known for its crocus-like flowers that emerge in fall; bulb for full or, image 69Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — goblet-shaped flowers up to 6 inches tallMeadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Colchicum speciosum can be a stunning and resilient addition to any garden; bulb with purple blooms, image 86Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH; caution: all plant parts are toxic, image 74+142

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Medium
USDA zones
3–8

Shape & size

Mature height
0.5–0.75 Ft.
Mature width
0.5–0.75 Ft.

Classification

Type
Bulb
Family
Iridaceae
Climate
Mediterranean

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Photos (149)

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Its autumnal blooms add a unique splash of late-season color; this captivating plant is commonly known for, image 96
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — purple flowers in the garden; the Meadow Saffron appreciates well-drained
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — especially during dry spells
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — this captivating plant is commonly known for its crocus-like flowers that emerge in fall; bulb for full or, image 69
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — goblet-shaped flowers up to 6 inches tall
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Colchicum speciosum can be a stunning and resilient addition to any garden; bulb with purple blooms, image 86
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH; caution: all plant parts are toxic, image 74
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — only to die back before the flowering season.<br><br>Growing to a height of about 6 to 10 inches; fertile, image 131
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — especially during dry spells; it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 and performs best in full sun, image 84
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — ideal for naturalizing in grassy areas or planting in borders and rock gardens; this makes it perfect for garden borders
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — cup-shaped flowers can reach up to 4 inches in height; colchicum speciosum can be a stunning and resilient, image 137
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — presenting a bold statement in the fall garden; appearing before its strappy green leaves in spring
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — purple flowers in the garden; the Meadow Saffron appreciates well-drained, image 88
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — this captivating plant is commonly known for its crocus-like flowers that emerge in fall; bulb for full or half
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Its autumnal blooms add a unique splash of late-season color; this captivating plant is commonly known for, image 66
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — offering a delightful surprise when much of the landscape is preparing for the quiet of winter; its autumnal, image 87
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Keep in mind that all parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested; especially during dry spells, image 81
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — purple flowers in the garden; the Meadow Saffron appreciates well-drained, image 148
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 and performs best in full sun to partial shade; with a spread, image 75
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — A member of the Colchicaceae family
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — goblet-shaped flowers up to 6 inches tall; only to die back before the flowering season.<br><br>Growing to a, image 92
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — When incorporating Meadow Saffron in a landscape design, consider planting in clusters for maximum impact, image 140
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — only to die back before the flowering season.<br><br>Growing to a height of about 6 to 10 inches; fertile, image 101
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — bulb with purple blooms; when incorporating Meadow Saffron in a landscape design, consider planting in, image 89
Photographs by 16 contributors

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