This species has a wide native geographic range extending from eastern Europe through Asia Minor, the Caucasus region and into Central Asia. It also has a range of flower colors from purplish pink to white and from no tesselation (checkering of the flower) to moderate tesselation.

Plant in full sun and moist but well drained soils. Divide when the clumps of corms have become so congested they start to push up to the surface of the soil. Interplant corms with companion plants that begin growth late in the season to accommodate the luxuriant spring foliage and that provide a backdrop for the flowers in Fall. Examples include cultivars of Heuchera, Phlox paniculata, Hylotelephium spectabile, Sedum spurium, Festuca ovina glauca, Phlox subulata and Thymus vulgaris.

All parts of the plant are toxic and should not be ingested. The toxins interfer with normal cell growth.

The genus name pays homage to the ancient kingdom of Colchis at the eastern end of the Black Sea; home to very ornamental Colchicum species and the modern nation of Georgia.