
Colchicums are surprise plants. Not because of the chemical content of their tubers but because of the sudden way the appear in the garden, literally out of nowhere. It is a good idea to have a lot of "nowhere" locations in the garden so that we can enjoy one of the last autumn flowers before long and dark winter months.
Apart from the typical lilac-pink colchicums, there are also white cultivars. And colchicums with double flowers, which do not look like colchicums, more like waterlilies. No matter the colour or number of petals, all cultivars require full sun or light shade in order to supply abundant flowering. The tubers do not like to be disturbed and if left forgotten, they will produce bigger clusters with every year. The flowers look great in a vase but be cautious decorating dinner tables with them. You never know!