Enter Our Photo Contest »
It's time to show off your garden filled with American Meadows products!
-
Seeds by Type
- Wildflower Seed Mixtures
Find mixtures for your region, or for special uses such as dry areas, partial shade, attracting animals, low growing, and more.
- Individual Perennial Species
Over 75 choices that will bloom in the second year and for years to come.
- Individual Annual Species
Over 110 choices for fast color, such as poppies, cosmos, sunflowers, zinnia, and many more.
- Wildflowers that Attract Pollinators
Help the birds, bees, butterflies & hummingbirds by planting wildflowers.
- Native Wildflower Seeds
Wildflower seeds native to your region. Support local wildlife with native wildflowers.
- Wildflower Seed Mixtures
-
Why buy seed packets for your promotion or event
- Free ground shipping
- Promotional and event seed packet orders ship within 48 hours
- Non-GMO seeds and recycled paper
- Mix and match discounts
- Express shipping, just call (877) 309-7333
-
-
Cool Season Grass
Thrives in areas with cold freezing winters and hot summers.
Warm Season Grass
Thrives in areas with hot temperatures.
- Gardening Tools
Show meShowing plants & seeds that grow in my area:
Plant Information
Here's a great gift for you or any gardener who cooks. Prices on the famous yellow spice, saffron, have been climbing for years, so more and more gardeners are growing their own. This new kit makes it's easier than ever, and looks great in any kitchen. Our new kit comes with handsome gift box and complete instructions for growing and harvesting.
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 almost immediately. 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 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.
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!
| SKU | 10FFC1 |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Saffron Crocus |
| Botanical Name | Crocus sativus |
| Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Ships As | Planting Kit |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun, Half Sun / Half Shade |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Mature Height | 4" |
| Bulb Size | 9/+ cm |
| Bulb Spacing | 5 bulbs per pot |
| Planting Depth | Plant 2" deep |
| Bloom Time | Fall |
| Plant Type / Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Planting Time | Fall |
| Soil Type | Loamy Soil |
| Soil Moisture | Average, Well Draining |
| Advantages | Easy to Grow, Containers, Forcing |
| Ships to Hawaii, Alaska & Canada | No |
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 sprouts within a week or so and blooms in just several 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
Bearded Iris, Fall-Flowering Crocus and Colchicum will begin shipping the week of August 14th.
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. Fall bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial orders may arrive separately from bulbs and seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you need express shipping or have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (877) 309-7333 or contact us by email.
View Shipping Rate ChartReviewsby PowerReviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsAmerican MeadowsSaffron Crocus Kit
(based on 6 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
50%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
No Pros
Cons
No Cons
Best Uses
- Containers (3)
Reviewed by 6 customers
Displaying reviews 1-6
Pros
- Reliable Growth
Cons
Best Uses
- Containers
- Saffron Harvesting
Comments about American Meadows Saffron Crocus Kit:
I bought these as a gift item, which were much enjoyed by the recipients. Although the saffron crocuses grew nicely I held them a bit too long prior to gifting them, and the bulbs had already begun sprouting. The container was as depicted, but a bit smaller than expected - check the dimensions first to avoid surprises in that area.
Comments about American Meadows Saffron Crocus Kit:
I was disappointed; the bulbs did not bloom.
Pros
- Low Maintenance
- Reliable Growth
- Vivid Colors
Cons
Best Uses
- Containers
- Indoor Pots
Comments about American Meadows Saffron Crocus Kit:
Having come from a part of the country where bulbs other than Amaryllis in indoor pots at Christmas are considered exotic, this was my first effort at growing this kind of plant. I followed the instructions that came with the kit and within 10 days, I had nice sprouts of green. Not even a week later, I got my first flower! Absolutely beautiful and such a wonderful surprise -- especially since my bloom came the same day as our first snow. I feel a lot more confident about what I'll find this spring from the 200 bulbs I planted in the yard a few weeks ago. American Meadows definitely provides good products, service, and instructions. I would recommend this to anyone!
Pros
Cons
- Bad container
- Bad soil
- Does not grow
Best Uses
Comments about American Meadows Saffron Crocus Kit:
A terrible product, the soil and container that came with the kit are useless, I bet they damaged the bulbs, never had a chance to grow properly, ended up in the trash!
Pros
- Beautiful Color
Cons
- Keep Pot out of the Sun
Best Uses
- Containers
- Cooking uses
Comments about American Meadows Saffron Crocus Kit:
While this Saffron Crocus Kit arrived as shown, the description is not adequate. I was a bit surprised at how small the pot really is. No dimensions are given in the writeup, and the pot is small, only about 9 3/4 L X 3W X 3H. Also, though the description states that a "handsome gift box" is included, I did not recieve any boxes, just a sleeve around the pot, and I bought several of these for gifts - I need the boxes. What a dissapointment! Also, the packing department bent the handles deliberately when packing these unboxed pots, although they seem to straighten up ok without breaking. Just use a bigger packing box next time, American Meadows! However, despite the difficulties, I am keeping these, since my family like Saffron Crocuses and have looked for them in the past unsuccessfully.
Pros
Cons
- Slow Growth
- Small bulbs
Best Uses
- Nowhere
Comments about American Meadows Saffron Crocus Kit:
I was disappointed with this product. It can dry out very fast with such a small container, the soil is not the best to use as it doesn't hold water well. The container wasn't all the neat, cheaply made.
Displaying reviews 1-6
Q & A
Plant With These:
USDA Hardiness Planting Zones
To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.
- If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
- If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).
Find Your Planting Zone:
Enter your Zip Code to find your USDA Planting Zone
Merchant response: We sincerely apologize that our Saffron Crocus Kit did not meet your expectations. There are many variables in gardening but we are committed to your success and stand behind all our products with our 100% guarantee. Please contact us so that we may assist you with a solution. Happy Gardening!