Colchicum 'The Giant' (Colchicum)

Colchicum 'The Giant': Colossal Autumn Goblets

Colchicum 'The Giant' (also known as False Autumn Crocus, Showy Colchicum, Naked Ladies, Meadow Saffron) lives up to its name, producing enormous, goblet-shaped, violet-pink flowers up to 4 inches across on naked stems in autumn. The foliage appears in spring (broad, hosta-like leaves) and dies back by early summer. It is a sterile hybrid, so it does not set seed but increases by corm division.

Spectacular Autumn Display

Plant corms in late summer in well-drained soil, full sun to part shade. The massive flowers are a highlight of the autumn garden. Allow the spring foliage to grow unimpeded to feed the corm. It naturalizes slowly. All parts are toxic if ingested. A dramatic, low-maintenance bulb for the late season garden.

Taxonomy

• Family: Colchicaceae
• Genus: Colchicum
• Cultivar: 'The Giant'