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 3–8Climate Mediterranean

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Meadow Saffron (Colchicum speciosum) is a striking fall-blooming perennial

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

Family: Iridaceae
Climate: Mediterranean

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

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (148)

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — appearing before its strappy green leaves in spring; presenting a bold statement in the fall garden, image 123

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Meadow Saffron (Colchicum speciosum) is a striking fall-blooming perennial; thriving in USDA zones 4-8, it, image 121

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 122

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) — Caution: all plant parts are toxic; goblet-shaped flowers up to 6 inches tall, image 125

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — Its autumnal blooms add a unique splash of late-season color; this captivating plant is commonly known for, image 126

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — ideal for naturalizing in grassy areas or planting in borders and rock gardens; this makes it perfect for, image 127

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — A member of the Colchicaceae family; ensure adequate moisture during the growing season, image 128

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — this captivating plant is commonly known for its crocus-like flowers that emerge in fall; bulb for full or, image 129

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) — 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) — with a spread of roughly 3 to 6 inches; keep in mind that all parts of this plant are highly toxic if, image 132

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, image 138

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — when most other plants are fading; while its foliage appears in spring, image 139

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) — fertile soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH; caution: all plant parts are toxic, image 134

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — the Meadow Saffron appreciates well-drained; purple flowers in the garden, image 133

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) — 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) — purple flowers in the garden; the Meadow Saffron appreciates well-drained, image 148

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — offering a delightful surprise when much of the landscape is preparing for the quiet of winter; its autumnal, image 147

Meadow Saffron (Colchicum Speciosum) — However, avoid waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to bulb rot; so it should be sited away from, image 145

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

Related plants

Reticulated Iris (Iris Reticulata) — The Reticulated Iris (Iris reticulata) is a spring-blooming bulbous perennial

Reticulated Iris

Iris Reticulata

Full · Zones 5–9

Pink Watsonia (Watsonia Strains Pink) — or Watsonia borbonica 'Pink'

Pink Watsonia

Watsonia Strains Pink

Full · Zones 9–10

Idaho Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium Idahoense) — is a charming perennial with grassy foliage reaching up to 12 inches tall

Idaho Blue-Eyed Grass

Sisyrinchium Idahoense

Full · Zones 5–7

Sparaxis, Harlequin Flower (Sparaxis Tricolor) — is a vibrant bulbous perennial showcasing a star-shaped display of multicolored petals

Sparaxis, Harlequin Flower

Sparaxis Tricolor

Full · Zones 3–10

Del Norte Iris (Iris Innominata) — Del Norte Iris (Iris innominata) is a Pacific Coast native

Del Norte Iris

Iris Innominata

Full · Zones 8–10

Iris Species (Iris Spp.) — offer a captivating array of colors, often with intricate patterns

Iris Species

Iris Spp.

Full · Zones 7–9