Autumn Crocus
Colchicum autumnale
Autumn Crocus is actually a member of the lily family producing colorful purple flowers in late summer and early fall.
Appearing in tandem with Sternbergia lutea, Colchicum autumnale is another late-season bloomer commonly described as a crocus. Also called Fall Saffron, Meadow Saffron, and Naked Ladies, C. autumnale is a member of the Lily family that bears tulip-like purple flowers on seven-inch stalks in late summer to early fall. Although it is a welcome colorful addition to the autumn garden, Colchicum's bulb-like corms are highly toxic, containing colchicine, which has medicinal use to treat gout).
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
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Between April and October, all house tours come with a free guided Garden Tour, or you can explore the grounds on your own with the Bloomberg Connects App
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Heirloom Seeds and Plants from the Monticello collection
Plant history in your gardens with seeds and plants from Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
