Colchicum 'Waterlily'

autumn crocus bulbs

size: 1 bulb

available to order from summer 2012

£4.99

CAUTION toxic if eaten

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• Position: full sun
• Soil: deep, fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: September and October
• Flower colour: pink
• Other features: all parts of the plant are highly toxic if ingested; contact with the skin may cause irritation
• Hardiness: fully hardy
• Bulb size:16+
  
  Dramatic, double pink flowers reminiscent of waterlilies in September and October. followed by large leaves, retained until mid-summer. These autumn-flowering bulbs are perfect for naturalising in grass under a semi-mature specimen tree. Always wear gloves when working with colchicum since all parts of the plant are poisonous and a potential skin irritant.
  
  
• Garden care: Wear gloves to plant bulbs in naturalistic drifts 15cm (6in) deep in July or autumn.
  
  Please note that as Colchicums have an incredibly short shelf-life, it is quite common to see them already sprouting when they are delivered. This will not have an adverse effect on the long-term health and vigour, and the ones that have not started to flower should be planted out as normal, taking care not to damage any emerging shoots. Those that have started to flower should be taken out of the bag and placed on a sunny windowsill where you can enjoy the show. As soon as the flowers have faded (and before the leaves develop), these too can be planted out.