Ships in SUMMER

Saffron Crocus

Crocus sativus

$14.65
$14.65 $0.00
per Bag of 15
Sale |
ZONES  6-10 | Good to grow! Zone
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Saffron is worth its weight in gold, so it pays to grow your own! These beautiful purple crocus flower in fall and offer you pure, prized edible saffron on each flower's stigmas. Easy to grow and exceptional in containers. (Crocus sativus)

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Saffron Crocus

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Description

Saffron: This is far and away the most popular fall-flowering crocus, and here's why. In recent years, the spice, saffron, has become increasingly expensive, (often as high as $70 oz.) so more and more gardeners are growing their own. These beautiful purple crocus will open and offer you pure saffron on each flower's 'stigmas.' It's easy to harvest, and fresher than any you can buy. Harvesting Saffron: When the flowers are fresh, simply remove the bright red stigmas you'll see in each flower's center; they carry the saffron spice. You can use it immediately in the fresh form, or dry it for later use. To dry your saffron, simply spread the red stigmas out for several days on a paper towel in a warm dry place. Once they're dry, store them in an air-tight container in a cool place, and use the saffron whenever you like.

Growing Fall-Flowering Crocus and Colchicum: These two groups of bulbs are almost like magic. You plant them in late summer, and they bloom within a few weeks. We ship them, along with Bearded Irises, in August, earlier than other fall bulbs, with instructions to plant right away. They're great in the ground or in patio pots---anywhere you want to add jewel-like color for your fall garden. In just weeks, you'll see them poking up through the ground, and before you know it they're in bloom, just when everything else in your garden is almost finished! It's a wonderful finale of color that just won't happen without these beauties. If you've never planted them before, you'll find the regular 'fall-flowering crocus', including C. sativus,, the saffron crocus, much like spring bloomers (about 4-5 inches tall). Colchicums are different, since every bulb (they're larger than the regular crocus bulbs) produces a whole bouquet of flowers. One Colchicum bulb will send up between 5 and 10 stems, and each one will soon bear a flower. So plant either or both, and enjoy some brilliant spring color in your garden when you need it the most--in fall!

Planting & Care

How to Plant Fall Flowering Crocus

Fall Flowering Crocus create quick, delightful beauty in the fall garden just weeks after being planted. We ship them in August, along with the Bearded Iris, to be planted right away. They're great in the ground or in patio pots---anywhere you want to add jewel-like color for your fall garden. In just days, you'll see them poking up through the ground, and before you know it they're in bloom, just when everything else in your garden is almost finished! It's a wonderful finale of color that just won't happen without these beauties.

How to Plant:

1. Plant bulbs as soon as possible after receiving them.


2. Read the label to see how deep to plant your crocus – This may vary for different varieties of bulbs.

3. Find a sunny spot in your garden that has good drainage – Crocus bulbs do not like very moist soil. You can also plant Fall Flowering Crocus in patio pots.

4. Dig a hole according to the depth on your package. Add organic compost if available.

5. Plant bulb pointy side up. Don’t worry if you can’t decipher which end this is – The flower will find its way up.

6. Back-fill with soil and water thoroughly to remove air pockets.

You should see blooms in 6 -10 weeks.

If you are planting Saffron Crocus bulbs to harvest the stamens to cook with, you will want to do this once they begin blooming.

Harvesting Saffron: When the flowers are fresh, simply remove the bright red stigmas you'll see in each flower's center; they carry the saffron spice. You can use it immediately in the fresh form, or dry it for later use. To dry your saffron, simply spread the red stigmas out for several days on a paper towel in a warm dry place. Once they're dry, store them in an air-tight container in a cool, dark place, and use the saffron whenever you like.

Further Reading

Shipping

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As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and fall-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and fall-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your Growing Zone. Perennial and fall-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at (802) 227-7200 or contact us by email or chat.

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key features

Advantages
  • Easy To Grow
  • Naturalizes
  • Container Planting
Light Requirements
  • Full Sun
  • Half Sun / Half Shade
Bloom Time
Fall

Additional information

Planting Time
  • Late Summer
Soil Moisture
  • Dry
  • Average
Soil Type
  • Average Soil
  • Loamy Soil
  • Sandy Soil
  • Well-Drained Soil
Mature Height
4" tall
Bulb Spacing
12 per sq ft
Flower Bulb Size
9+ cm
Planting Depth
2" deep
Growing Zones
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9
  • Zone 10
Ideal Region
  • Northeast
  • Southeast
  • Midwest
  • West
  • Southwest
  • Pacific Northwest
Additional Information
12 per sq ft
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