Autumn crocus Colchicum 'Violet Queen'
ABOUT
The Colchicum 'Violet Queen' is a striking plant known for its vibrant, colorful flowers. Resembling crocuses, the blooms of this plant feature a rich, violet hue with a white base, lending a dramatic contrast to the fall garden when many plants have finished their bloom period. Each flower consists of elongated petals that form a cup-like shape, creating an alluring display. The petals have a glossy, satin-like finish that gives them a lustrous appearance in the sunlight. The foliage of the Violet Queen emerges after the flowers, typically in the spring, and is a lush green color. The leaves are broadly strap-shaped with a smooth texture, which provides a beautiful background for the flowers and other plants in the garden. After flowering, the plant goes into dormancy, leaving behind the green foliage which eventually dies back. The Violet Queen is a bulbous plant and has an underground storage organ, which allows it to survive the winter and re-emerge in the next growing season.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Colchicaceae
Synonyms
Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron, Naked Lady
Common names
Colchicum 'Violet Queen'.
ToxicityTo humans
Autumn crocus is highly toxic and can cause serious health issues if ingested by humans. All parts of the plant contain colchicine, which is a potent alkaloid. Symptoms of autumn crocus poisoning include burning sensation in the mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, kidney failure, liver damage, respiratory failure, and can lead to multi-organ failure or even death if not treated promptly. Seek immediate medical attention if ingestion is suspected.
To pets
Autumn crocus is also poisonous to pets, including dogs and cats. Like in humans, ingesting any part of the plant can lead to severe symptoms due to the colchicine content. Symptoms in pets may include drooling, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, significant drop in blood pressure, seizures, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory failure, which can be fatal. Immediate veterinary care is crucial if a pet is suspected to have ingested any part of the autumn crocus.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Violet
Height
6 inches (15 cm)
Spread
3 inches (7.5 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
4
Native area
Western Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: The Colchicum 'Violet Queen', or Autumn Crocus, features striking, vivid violet flowers that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Late Bloomer: Blooming in the fall, it provides color and interest during a season when many other plants have finished flowering.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, the Autumn Crocus is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance aside from occasional watering in dry conditions.
- Drought Tolerance: It is somewhat drought tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for gardeners looking for low-water-use plants.
- Deer and Rodent Resistance: The plant is naturally resistant to deer and rodent browsing, which helps protect it in areas with a high wildlife population.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers may still attract pollinators like bees to the garden, providing a late-season food source for these beneficial insects.
- Naturalizing: The Autumn Crocus has the ability to naturalize by forming corm offsets and seed, which can lead to increased numbers of plants over the years without much human intervention.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography and Art: The striking violet flowers of Colchicum 'Violet Queen' serve as a captivating subject for photographers and artists who are looking to capture vibrant natural colors and beautiful flower structures in their work.
- Educational Tool: Horticulture educators can use the Colchicum 'Violet Queen' to teach students about bulbous plant growth cycles, since its flowering in autumn, rather than spring, provides a unique example.
- Garden Design: Landscape designers may incorporate Colchicum 'Violet Queen' into "surprise gardens" where the sudden autumn bloom surprises and delights garden visitors.
- Companion Planting: Gardeners can plant Colchicum 'Violet Queen' alongside late-blooming perennials to extend the garden's flowering season into the fall months.
- Theme Gardens: This plant is ideal for a "Royalty" or "Queens" theme garden due to its name and regal appearance, and can be used to add a pop of color among other royal-themed plants.
- Cut Flowers: Though less common, the blossoms of the Colchicum 'Violet Queen' can be used in floral arrangements to provide unique autumn colors for indoor decorations.
- Festival Decorations: The flowers are useful for decorating during autumn festivities, particularly in regions where the blooms naturally coincide with harvest festivals.
- Cultural Symbolism: The plant can be used in cultural ceremonies or celebrations that associate the color violet with specific symbolic meanings, like spirituality or nobility.
- Garden Interest: Colchicum 'Violet Queen' is perfect for creating an interesting, textural contrast when planted among grasses or plants with fine foliage, because of its broad leaves and large flowers.
- Wildlife Attraction: Although primarily ornamental, the nectar and pollen of the Colchicum 'Violet Queen' can be a late-season resource for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe autumn crocus is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe autumn crocus is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Rebirth and Renewal: Colchicum 'Violet Queen', commonly known as autumn crocus, often blooms in late summer or autumn, symbolizing a period of rebirth as it brings color and life to the fading season.
- Transition and Change: As the autumn crocus appears during the transition from summer to fall, it represents change and the natural flow of life's seasons.
- Purity and Innocence: The delicate, vibrant flowers of the autumn crocus are often associated with purity and innocence, akin to many other blooms with a similar aesthetic.
- Hope and Joy: The surprise blossoms of the autumn crocus provide hope and joy to those who encounter it, a reminder of the beauty still present as colder days approach.
WaterAutumn crocus, which is the common name for Colchicum 'Violet Queen', requires moderate watering during its active growth in the autumn but should be kept dry during its dormancy in summer. When the leaves are present, and the plant is flowering or growing in the fall, water it thoroughly with about 1 inch of water once a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In the dormant period, especially in hot summer months, reduce watering significantly to prevent bulb rot. Since every environment is different, always adjust watering based on rainfall and natural soil moisture levels.
LightAutumn crocus thrives in a location that receives full to partial sunlight. It handles direct morning sunlight well but should be protected from the intense afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates. An ideal spot would have bright, indirect light for most of the day which encourages healthy growth without scorching the foliage.
TemperatureAutumn crocus performs best in temperature conditions that simulate its natural environment. It can survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit during its dormancy in winter, but it should not be exposed to prolonged periods of freezing weather. The ideal temperature range for active growth in autumn is between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningAutumn crocus generally does not require extensive pruning. The main pruning task is the removal of yellowed or dead foliage once it has completely died back, usually done in summer before the dormancy period. This helps prevent disease and keeps the plant looking tidy. Prune the foliage only after it has turned yellow, indicating that the plant has gone dormant.
CleaningAs needed
SoilAutumn crocus 'Violet Queen' thrives in well-draining soil with a pH of around 6.0 to 7.0. A suitable mix would include equal parts of loam, sand, and peat to ensure adequate drainage and aeration. It's important to avoid water logging to prevent bulb rot.
RepottingAutumn crocus 'Violet Queen' doesn't require frequent repotting and can be done every 3-4 years. Repot the corms after the foliage has died back, generally during summer dormancy.
Humidity & MistingAutumn crocus 'Violet Queen' prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable to typical outdoor conditions. Ensure good air circulation to prevent high humidity that could cause fungal diseases.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use well-draining soil, bright indirect light, cool temp for Autumn crocus.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil, partial shade, protect from severe frost.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA.
Life cycleThe life cycle of Colchicum 'Violet Queen', commonly known as autumn crocus, begins with a corm, which is a type of bulb, planted in late summer. The corm sends up strappy leaves in spring, which photosynthesize and store energy before dying back in early summer. In the absence of foliage, the corm lies dormant through the summer months. As temperatures cool in late summer to early fall, the autumn crocus produces vibrant purple flowers without foliage, thus signifying its blooming stage. After flowering, it sets seeds that can be dispersed to grow new plants. The plant then enters dormancy again until the following spring, when the cycle starts anew with leaf growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Fall
Colchicum 'Violet Queen', commonly known Autumn Crocus, is usually propagated through division of its corms, a process best performed after the foliage has died down, typically in late summer. To propagate by division, carefully lift the mature corms from the soil, using a spade or fork to avoid damaging them. Separate any smaller corms that have developed around the base of the parent corm; these are the offsets that can be replanted. Plant the corms with the pointed end facing up, at a depth of about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm), and space them approximately 6 inches (15 cm) apart in well-draining soil. The new corms should be positioned in a location that receives full to partial sunlight and will bloom in the fall. Ensure that the soil remains relatively dry during the plant's dormant summer period.
