Colchicum byzantinum — colchique
A natural hybrid (probably derived from C. cilicicum) often grown to flower as a dry corm on a windowsill, before being planted out. A corme can produce upto 15 flowers (mauve on a long white perianth tube). The large leaves appear in the spring.
The genus
Colchicums always occur in well drained habitats. Most species flower in the Autumn well before the leaves appear in the spring. THEY WILL EVEN FLOWER BEFORE BEING PLANTED. Most species are hardy and some species are sufficiently robust to naturalise in sub-alpine meadows or in wild gardens.
- Family :Liliaceae
- Subfamily :Colchicacea
- Common name :colchique
- Native to :Turquie, Syrie, Liban
- Native climate :continental
- Colour :Mauve, Lilac
- Hardiness :good
- Exposure :full sun
- Storage organ :corm
- Growth :winter grower
- Flowering height :15-40 cm
- Uses :Borders - In the ground - Rockery
Growing cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Flowering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Planting :June (sem. 4-4), July (sem. 1-4), August (sem. 1-4), September (sem. 1-4)
Growth :February (sem. 3-4), March (sem. 1-4), April (sem. 1-4), May (sem. 1-4), June (sem. 1-2)
Flowering :August (sem. 3-4), September (sem. 1-3)