All About Fall Flowering Crocus

Fall Flowering Crocus fall into two categories. The small-flowered types, such as edible saffron crocus, have flowers much like their spring flowering cousins. The flowers appear followed by the grass-like foliage either at flowering or later in fall. These Crocuses come in colors such as white, purple-blue, and lilac. Most are hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9, but there are some species that can grow in the colder climates of USDA zones 4 and 5.

The most common fall crocus is the edible Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus)! Purple flowers appear in early fall in cold areas and, later in fall in warmer locations. It's hardy to USDA zone 5. The thin red filaments in the flower can be delicately removed with a tweezer and used in cooking – these are the same saffron threads that you find in the spice aisle. Or you can harvest the flowers when open and do the tweezing indoors. To dry saffron, place it in an oven on low heat until the filaments are light and breakable. You can also lay them out on a table in a dry room, out of direct sun, for a few days to dry.

There are other fall flowering crocus similar to saffron crocus that are grown just for their beauty. Crocus specious is the hardiest of the small fall flowering crocus, surviving in USDA zone 4 climates. They have blue to mauve colored flowers. There is a white flowering version as well with snowy colored blooms and yellow stems. Crocus pulchellus is similar to the species crocus, but has a pale lilac colored flower with purple veins.

The other group of fall flowering crocus are really not crocus at all, but a type of lily. Colchicum also have the common name Autumn Crocus. The flowers emerge in fall, followed by the foliage which appears the next spring. Colchicums have larger-sized flowers than Saffron Crocus. They burst from the ground in September and October putting on quite a show when planted in groups.

Most Colchicums are hardy to USDA zone 5. The flowers are white, pink, blue, purple or rose depending on the variety. The flowering is enhanced because each bulb will send up a bouquet of flowers on 5 to 10 stems. The flowers stand 6 to 8 inches tall, making a statement in the garden. Look for different-colored varieties. After flowering the bulbs (corms) go dormant until spring. Then they send up broad leaves to collect energy from the sun and rejuvenate the bulb for the fall. The leaves yellow and fade by summer.

These fall flowering gems will add extra color to your garden when many other plants have passed. Plant the small flowered fall crocus in rock gardens, under trees, around shrubs, and in the ground to cover patches, or even scattered throughout your lawn! If you plant in the lawn, let the foliage emerge and naturally yellow for abot 4-6 weeks without mowing it. This will work fine in many colder areas, since the lawn is growing slowly in autumn. In the flower garden, plant them where their colorful blossoms will pair nicely with other fall flowers such as sedum and dwarf aster.

The larger colchicum bulbs can be planted in among evergreen ground covers and in the perennial border. In a rock garden they can flop over, especially if not grown in full sun.

They shine when planted among vinca, ivy and other evergreen ground covers because their bright flowers contrast well with the foliage, and they're supported by the sturdy green groundcovers. Plus, the groundcovers prevents soil from splashing up onto the flowers, keeping them clean looking until they fade in a week or so.