Colchicum autumnale Pannonicum

Colchicum autumnale 'Nancy Lindsay', also known as Colchicum autumnale 'Pannonicum', is a more colourful version of the famous autumn crocus that blooms in meadows at the end of summer. Each large 'bulb' produces several large cup-shaped pink-lilac flowers tinged with violet at the base of the petals and carried by a violet stem. This vigorous selection has been awarded by the RHS for its ornamental qualities and performance in the garden. It is easy to grow, but requires a sunny location. 

Autumn crocus (C. autumnale) is a geophyte plant with a corm from the Colchicaceae family. It is one of the 45 species or spontaneous hybrids found in this genus native to North Africa, Europe, Western and Central Asia. It is native to temperate Europe. Although its flowers resemble those of crocuses, colchicum has 6 stamens instead of 3 like the latter, which belong to the Iridaceae family. A corm is a swollen stem covered with scales, as opposed to a bulb, which is formed by thickened scales as in lilies or garlic.

At maturity, Colchicum autumnale 'Nancy Lindsay' reaches a height of 15 to 18cm (6 to 7in). The foliage emerges in spring, in the form of 3 to 5 large smooth leaves, light green in colour, shiny, channelled, and wrapped around a short stem. They measure up to 35cm (14in) in length and 5cm (2in) in width. In the centre of the leaves, one or more large elongated fruits are displayed, carried by the central stem. The leaves turn yellow and then disappear in early summer, marking the beginning of the corm's dormancy. Flowering occurs between late September and early October, depending on the climate. Each 'bulb' produces 1 to 5 large cup-shaped flowers, 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) tall and 5cm (2in) wide. They consist of 6 petals that gradually open into stars. In the centre of the corollas, yellow-orange stamens dominate. They are followed by the formation of fruits which, when ripe, open to release round black seeds. All parts of the colchicum are toxic.

'Nancy Lindsay' is a somewhat nostalgic plant that heralds the arrival of autumn, but also often celebrates the advent of a very beautiful late season. It can be used in rockeries and at the base of deciduous trees, or in natural lawns alongside crocuses and grape hyacinths. In this usage, the grass should not be mowed until the colchicum leaves have yellowed. It can also be used in ephemeral containers and incorporated into autumn bouquets.