Осенние крокусы на самом деле ядовитые колхикумы: как распознать и вырастить цветы

Get It Growing: Autumn crocus — or are they? Published 4:30 am Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Early fall brings the surprise blooms of what many refer to as autumn crocus. The large pink or pale purple blooms show up seemingly out of nowhere in the flower bed and brighten the fall landscape. These corms are not crocuses nor are they botanically related to them. They are, in fact, colchicums. The name colchicum is derived from the locale where the corms were first found, the ancient region of Colchis, which is an area near the modern-day Republic of Georgia. This is the region where the mythological poisoner Medea lived. Colchicums are toxic. The chemical colchicine can be derived from some of these corms and has uses in some pharmaceutical medicines. It tastes bad to critters that may be tempted to eat them and every part of the plant is intensely toxic. In late summer to early fall, naked flower stems emerge from the ground and reach 6 to 10 inches in height, with one to six stems per sheath appearing. Each stem will have a flower. Flower colors range from pale pink to lavender with a few white varieties available as well. These fall flowers have no foliage. Plants send up their foliage (five to eight dark green leaves, up to 10 inches long) in spring. That foliage gradually yellows and dies by early summer when the plants go dormant. There is a botanical term for that: hysteranthous. The dictionary tells us that hysteranthous refers to “having the leaves emerge before the flowers have opened. It typically refers to geophytes that flower when the plant is dormant and without leaves during a dry season.” Because of this unusual foliage and bloom habit, gardeners need to pay attention to where they plant colchicums. Site corms in areas where the short flowers may be enjoyed in fall, but where the taller spring foliage will not interfere with other perennials. Color and form There are approximately a dozen varieties of Colchicum offered in the nursery trade in the United States. The ones commonly seen in Sequim-area gardens are most likely Colchicum ‘Giant.’ They are pale pink with large crocus-shaped flowers. Over time the corms will multiply and provide a pink carpet often seen under roses or in front of shrubs. There are other options available in both color and form. If white is your preferred color, consider colchicum autumnale ‘Album’ that has single flowers in mid-fall on 4-to-6-inch stems. For a multi-petaled white flower, plant C. autumnale ‘Alboplenum’ with its waterlily-type flower. It has been in cultivation since 1872. For a pink multi-petaled flower, Colchicum ‘Waterlily’ is a late bloomer that provides pinkish-purple to mauve, double petaled flowers on 6-to-8-inch stems. When to plant Look for colchicums at your local nursery about Sept. 1. If you order online, order now and you can expect to receive them in early September. Plant them immediately upon receipt for bloom this fall. They should be placed about 3 inches deep and 6 inches apart. They will multiply. These corms are best grown in organically rich, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Remember that good soil drainage helps prevent corm rot. They are well suited to our moist springs and dry falls. For an interesting indoor bloom, you can place the bare corm in a dish on your windowsill. It has everything it needs to bloom contained within the corm. You can then plant it in your garden to send up foliage next spring and bloom next fall. It is common to see flower buds peeking above bulb boxes on the racks at your local nursery. Just a reminder that there are fall blooming crocuses such as the shorter saffron crocus that do well in our area and are great additions to the fall garden. But those big, tall beauties are colchicums. For more information on colchicums grown around the world, visit the Pacific Bulb Society website and browse the photographs in the Colchicum section. Mark your calender The Homegrown Berry Series continues this Saturday, Aug. 29, with the topic “Growing Raspberries in the Home Garden.” This two-hour class will be held at the Dungeness River Nature Center at 1943 W. Hendrickson Road in Sequim starting at 10:30 a.m. Registration is requested. _______________________ Jeene Hobbs is a Clallam County Master Gardener.