Plant colchicum bulbs in naturalistic drifts, 15cm (6in) deep, in late July or August, wearing gloves to handle them safely. These bulbs often start producing shoots or flowers while dormant, which is normal due to their short rest period. Fragile growth may be damaged in transit but won’t affect the bulbs' long-term health.

If bulbs have shoots, plant them carefully without breaking any growth. For bulbs already in flower, place them on a sunny windowsill to enjoy before planting them outside once blooms fade, but before foliage appears. Once established, colchicums reliably flower for many years.