Plant from September to early October for flowers that autumn. You can plant them later, but they may not flower until the following year.
-40%
Deluxe
Colchicum
'Water Lily'
autumn crocus
Water lilies without the water? Absolutely! One look at the blooms of Colchicum 'Water Lily' is all it takes to convince you the naming of this plant is absolutely spot on. Of course, you can’t expect to see blooms such as these in any but the most carefully planned autumn gardens. The best blooms are worth waiting for, and only gardeners who practice foresight will have them. Plant them amongst perennials such as Heuchera to give them a background of foliage or on their own for the spectacle of flowers sprouting directly from the ground with never a leaf in sight! Some may call them “Autumn crocus” but Colchicum 'Water Lily' is too special to share its name with any other plant.
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 'Waterlily'
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Bulb size
- 20/+
- 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
- RHS Award (AGM)
- 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
Perfect for pots
Pollinator-friendly
Great for shade
Thrives in full sun
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed in paper
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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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.
Better by nature
From cultivation to packaging and delivery, we are always looking for ways to lessen our environmental impact.
Growing together
Our care team of horticultural experts is on hand to support you choose and garden with confidence.
World of wonders
A collection of world-renowned flower bulbs and perennials of exceptional beauty and character.
Chosen to thrive
Every bulb and plant is sourced, selected and prepared with an expert eye for their quality and garden performance.
