Autumn crocus (Colchicum byzantinum 'Album')
Colchicum byzantinum 'Album' offers late-season white flowers. This Autumn crocus thrives in zones 4-8 with medium water needs.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The striking white blooms of Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ provide a unique visual punch during the late gardening season. As a variety of the Autumn crocus, this bulbous perennial brings flowers forth when most other seasonal color has faded, offering an unexpected flourish in September and October. Gardeners value the Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ for its ability to surprise, as its naked flower stems emerge directly from the ground without accompanying foliage.
This particular cultivar showcases pure white, funnel-shaped flowers, lending an ethereal quality to the early fall landscape. While the flowers are delightful, be aware that the foliage appears much earlier in the spring, elongates, and then begins to yellow and die back by high summer, leading to its common nickname, ‘Naked ladies.’ Successful cultivation centers around planting corms at the right time to ensure this spectacular fall display.
Culturally, the Autumn crocus is relatively straightforward to manage, though it demands well-drained soil, typical of most bulb planting success. Its medium water and maintenance requirements make it a reliable choice for adding autumnal interest to established beds or woodland edges, contrasting beautifully with the fading greens of late summer.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Colchicaceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.25-0.5 ft
- Spread: 0.25-5 ft
- Bloom Time: September to October
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
For the best results with your Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’, plant the corms in August for bloom that same autumn. These plants thrive in average, medium soils, provided they are well-drained. Ensure the site receives full sun or light dappled part shade to encourage robust flowering. Plant the corms approximately 3 inches deep and space them about 6 inches apart across the planting area.
Ongoing care is minimal once established. Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ requires medium watering, meaning consistent moisture during active growth periods, but they must not sit in boggy conditions, as this heightens the risk of corm rot. Fertilization is generally unnecessary if soil fertility is adequate.
Seasonal attention focuses primarily on managing the foliage. The leaves emerge in spring and should be left to mature completely before being cut back, as this process replenishes the corm for the following year’s Autumn crocus bloom. If division is necessary, plan this task during the plant’s mid-summer dormant period when the foliage has fully died back.
Landscape Uses
Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ shines as a surprise element, perfect for meadows or informal groupings where its dramatic timing can be fully appreciated. They are excellent for placing in pockets near patios or along walks where the visual void left by summer perennials is becoming apparent but you aren’t ready for true spring bulbs. Given that the foliage can become unsightly as it yellows, strategic placement is necessary.
Consider planting the corms underneath deciduous shrubs or interspersed among low-growing ground covers that can help mask the declining leaves in late spring and early summer. This combination allows the Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ to deliver its main performance—the naked white flower stems in fall—without visual interruption from summer growth.
Avoid mass plantings in formal borders where the spring foliage decline is too distracting. Instead, utilize their unique bloom cycle to transition the garden from late summer hues into the rich colors of fall.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Colchicum byzantinum is a species of autumn crocus that is generally considered to be native to southeastern Europe, however some authorities believe that it is actually a hybrid of C. Cilicicum. In late spring, plants send up somewhat unattractive foliage (5-6 ribbed, elliptic to lance-shaped, dark green leaves to 12” long), which gradually yellows and dies by summer as the plants go dormant. Naked flower stems rise from the ground to 4-6” tall in early fall bearing funnel-shaped flowers (to 2” long) with dull yellow anthers, and the ‘Album’ cultivar specifically produces white flowers. It is important to note that spring crocus is in the iris family, but fall crocus, like this Autumn crocus, is in its own family, Colchicaceae.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
Generally, Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ exhibits no serious insect or disease problems, making it a reliable choice for low-chemical gardening. However, gardeners should watch for damage from slugs and snails, which can chew on the emerging flowers. A greater threat is corm rot, which becomes a significant concern if the plants are situated in poorly-drained, persistently wet soils. The flower stems of this specific Autumn crocus variety are known to be somewhat weak and may flop, so integrating them near supporting, low-growing companions is recommended. Botrytis is an occasional fungal issue to monitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Autumn crocus suitable for?
Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ is hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 8.
When does Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ bloom?
This variety blooms reliably in the fall, typically from September into October, presenting white flowers.
How large does Autumn crocus grow?
The mature height for Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ ranges from 0.25 to 0.5 feet tall, with a spread that can reach up to 5 feet.
What sun exposure does Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ need?
It performs best when planted in locations receiving full sun to light part shade.
Conclusion
The ability of Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ to deliver crisp white flowers precisely as summer ends makes it an indispensable player in the fall garden scheme. This easy-to-manage Autumn crocus adds critical late-season structure and color, provided you plant the corms in August and ensure sharp drainage. Check your local USDA zone compatibility before ordering corms this late summer for your next stunning display.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate companions is key to successfully integrating Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’ into your beds, primarily because you need foliage that emerges later or remains low to hide the dying spring leaves. Low-growing perennials like creeping thyme or sedums work well, as their summer foliage provides a dense mat that remains attractive through fall when the crocus blooms. Hardy Geraniums whose leaves die back cleanly in late summer also serve as excellent underplanting partners.
Ensure companion plants do not aggressively compete for moisture or nutrients during the flower stem emergence period. Because the Colchicum byzantinum flowers appear naked, placing them near structural plants or low, fine-textured fillers helps frame the blossoms beautifully. Remember that companion plants must tolerate the transition moisture the soil receives leading up to the fall bloom.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Late Spring/Early Summer (May-June): This is the crucial period for the foliage of Colchicum byzantinum ‘Album’. Allow the leaves to photosynthesize fully and begin yellowing naturally; do not trim them prematurely, as this drains the corm’s energy reserves needed for the fall bloom. Once the leaves are entirely yellow and limp, they can be removed.
Late Summer (August): This is the primary planting window. Source high-quality corms and plant them 3 inches deep in well-amended, very well-drained soil. Location selection made now will determine landscape success.
Early Fall (September-October): The reward period arrives as the naked flower stems push up, delivering the white flowers of your Autumn crocus. Keep the area clear of mulch when the flowers first emerge to ensure they peek through cleanly.
