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) — Colchicum speciosum can be a stunning and resilient addition to any garden; bulb with purple blooms, image 146
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — When incorporating Meadow Saffron in a landscape design, consider planting in clusters for maximum impact, image 80
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Keep in mind that all parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested; especially during dry spells
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — A member of the Colchicaceae family; ensure adequate moisture during the growing season, image 98
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Keep in mind that all parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested; especially during dry spells, image 141
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — while its foliage appears in spring; ideal for naturalizing in grassy areas or planting in borders and rock, image 130
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Keep in mind that all parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested
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 71
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — so it should be sited away from children and pets.<br><br>To encourage a healthy display; meadow Saffron, image 112
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Keep in mind that all parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested; especially during dry spells, image 111
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — appearing before its strappy green leaves in spring; presenting a bold statement in the fall garden
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — with a spread of roughly 3 to 6 inches; keep in mind that all parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — this captivating plant is commonly known for its crocus-like flowers that emerge in fall
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Thriving in USDA zones 4-8, it requires moist, well-drained soil and partial shade; however, avoid, image 124
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — so it should be sited away from children and pets.<br><br>To encourage a healthy display; meadow Saffron, image 82
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — so it should be sited away from children and pets.<br><br>To encourage a healthy display
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — This makes it perfect for garden borders or naturalizing in grassy areas; when most other plants are fading, image 106
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 135
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 soil with a
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — appearing before its strappy green leaves in spring; presenting a bold statement in the fall garden, image 63
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Caution: all plant parts are toxic; goblet-shaped flowers up to 6 inches tall, image 125
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — when most other plants are fading; while its foliage appears in spring, image 109
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — especially during dry spells; it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8 and performs best in full sun to partial
Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — cup-shaped flowers can reach up to 4 inches in height; colchicum speciosum can be a stunning and resilient, image 107
Photographs by 15 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