Colchicum giganteum

There are a wide range of Colchicum species and cultivars in flower. Commonly known as Autumn Crocus or Naked Ladies. The leaves follow after the flowers have faded. Look through cultivated areas to the west of the garden, rock garden and the alpine house. The following are a selection:

• Colchicum speciosum: Tight buds burst through the soil to open light purple with a white base

• Colchicum giganteum: A South West Asian species collected by Furser and Synge in 1960. Wide petalled head supported on a pencil thin perianth tube

• Colchicum bornmuelleri: Collected in Turkey, well shaped wavy petal formation, the anther position changes as the flower develops and the pollen is released

• Colchicum graecum and C.macrophyllum, both in the alpine house and both native to Greece