Skip to content
Log inStart trial

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

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

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (149)

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — bulb with purple blooms; when incorporating Meadow Saffron in a landscape design, consider planting in clusters for
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — ensure adequate moisture during the growing season; a member of the Colchicaceae family, image 113
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — ensure adequate moisture during the growing season; a member of the Colchicaceae family, image 83
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — so it should be sited away from children and pets.<br><br>To encourage a healthy display; meadow Saffron (Colchicum
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — A member of the Colchicaceae family; ensure adequate moisture during the growing season, image 68
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — offering a delightful surprise when much of the landscape is preparing for the quiet of winter; its autumnal, image 117
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — the Meadow Saffron appreciates well-drained
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Colchicum speciosum can be a stunning and resilient addition to any garden
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Thriving in USDA zones 4-8, it requires moist, well-drained soil and partial shade; however, avoid, image 94
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — When incorporating Meadow Saffron in a landscape design, consider planting in clusters for maximum impact
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — especially during dry spells; it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 and performs best in full sun, image 144
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — ensure adequate moisture during the growing season; a member of the Colchicaceae family, image 143
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — This makes it perfect for garden borders or naturalizing in grassy areas; when most other plants are fading, image 136
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — When incorporating Meadow Saffron in a landscape design, consider planting in clusters for maximum impact, image 110
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — When incorporating Meadow Saffron in a landscape design, consider planting in clusters for maximum impact; cup-shaped
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 62
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Colchicum speciosum can be a stunning and resilient addition to any garden; bulb with purple blooms
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — However, avoid waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to bulb rot; so it should be sited away from, image 115
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — presenting a bold statement in the fall garden; appearing before its strappy green leaves in spring, image 108
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — ideal for naturalizing in grassy areas or planting in borders and rock gardens; this makes it perfect for, image 67
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — cup-shaped flowers can reach up to 4 inches in height
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — bulb with purple blooms; when incorporating Meadow Saffron in a landscape design, consider planting in, image 119
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Meadow Saffron (Colchicum speciosum) is a striking fall-blooming perennial; thriving in USDA zones 4-8, it, image 61
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — cup-shaped flowers can reach up to 4 inches in height; colchicum speciosum can be a stunning and resilient, image 77
Photographs by 17 contributors

Related plants

African Iris (Dietes Iridioides) — Low maintenance, it's ideal for accent planting and mass groupings in diverse landscape designs; is a hardy and versatile

Perennial

African Iris

Dietes Iridioides

FullUSDA 3–11
Angel's Fishing Rod (Dierama Pulcherrimum) — each adorned with bell-shaped blooms in hues of pink and purple during summer

Perennial

Angel's Fishing Rod

Dierama Pulcherrimum

HalfUSDA 7–10
Angel's Fishing Rod (Dierama Igneum) — Angel's Fishing Rod (Dierama igneum) offers graceful

Perennial

Angel's Fishing Rod

Dierama Igneum

HalfUSDA 7–10
Apostle Plant (Neomarica Caerulea) — "Apostle Plant," stems from the belief that it flowers only when the plant has twelve leaves

Perennial

Apostle Plant

Neomarica Caerulea

HalfUSDA 7–9
Autumn Crocus (Colchicum cilicicum) — bulb for full or half

Bulb

Autumn Crocus

Colchicum cilicicum

FullUSDA 3–8
Baboon Flower (Babiana Stricta) — or as a vibrant container specimen

Bulb

Baboon Flower

Babiana Stricta

HalfUSDA 9–10