Plant from September to early October for flowers that autumn. You can plant them later, but they may not flower until the following year.
'Alboplenum'
double white meadow saffron
Light up the late season with a refreshing burst of bright white blooms! Colchicum 'Alboplenum' is a glittering highlight in autumn, especially when the golden low sun catches them. Through a colourful patchwork of fallen autumn leaves, Colchicum 'Alboplenum' pushes through every year to make the season even more beautiful. Commonly known as naked ladies (due to the flowers emerging before the foliage) or double white meadow saffron, this variety is special for its double flowers which look a little bit like waterlilies.
This low-maintenance perennial is an easy little feature which adds a lot to the garden, rewarding minimal effort with a real autumn high-point that you can look forward to every year. You can plant easy-going Colchicum autumnale 'Alboplenum' in most places with free draining soil, in sun or partial shade, and simply let them look after themselves. They look lovely in borders, shrubberies, grassy areas, gravel gardens and pots. Try planting with Colchicum 'Waterlily' too if you like a little extra colour.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Choose full sun or partial shade with fertile, well-drained soil. Colchicums grow well in borders, beneath deciduous plants, in grass or in containers.
Plant with the pointed end upwards, 5–10cm deep and 10–15cm apart. Keep any existing shoots intact, even if their tips remain above the soil.
Water after planting if the soil is dry. Once settled, colchicums rarely need additional watering except during unusually warm, dry periods in spring.
Flowers appear in autumn, followed by foliage in spring. Allow the leaves to yellow and die back naturally before removing them or mowing the surrounding grass.
- Botanical name
- Colchicum autumnale 'Alboplenum'
- Flower colour
- White
- Bulb size
- 16/+
- Established height
- 10-20cm
- Established spread
- 5-10cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant spacing
- 50 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Free draining
Damp - Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Meadows
Ground cover
lawns
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Woodland gardens
Rockery
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade
Dappled shade - Toxicity
-
Toxic if eaten
Skin/eyes irritant - Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Expert care from
choice to delivery
Our horticulturalists prepare every bulb and plant with the utmost care. From selection to packing, each one receives expert attention before beginning its journey to your garden.