C. speciosum blooms in the fall, producing reddish/violet flowers on stems up to 30 centimetres (12 in) tall without any leaves present.

The strap-like leaves grow in the spring, then yellow, wither and die back as summer progresses.

[4] Colchicum speciosum is a vigorous grower and does well in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils in most climates.

It is valued in gardens for its late flowering at the end of summer and into autumn.

[2] Cultivars include the white 'Album'[5] and the amethyst-purple ‘Atrorubens’[6] which have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017).