Plant saffron crocuses in August or September for flowers that autumn. You can plant them later, but they are then likely to flower the following year.
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Saffron bulbs, or Crocus sativus, are known to be one of the most valuable plants to grow, not only for their show-stopping garden performance and wonderful deep lilac-purple autumn colour, but the saffron spice (also aptly known as the Red Gold) which is harvested from the Crocus sativus flowers is worth more than its equivalent weight in gold!
If you had the time and the space you could really strike gold with this small flower as Crocus sativus is the plant which produces the highly-prized (and priced) red spice, saffron. However, there’s no need to be disappointed when you learn that there’s a reason why this showy autumn crocus’ spice costs so much:
"It takes around a 150 of these small Crocus sativus plants (and some careful harvesting and drying) to nett about one gram of the saffron spice."
However, even if you don’t have the patience to go commercial with regard saffron, you’ll still have struck gold with the display this lilac saffron crocus, flashed with deep purple and sporting a long red stigma, produces.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Choose a warm, sunny position with very well-drained soil. Improve heavy soil with organic matter and horticultural grit, or grow them in containers.
Plant with the pointed end or shoot facing upwards, 10–15cm deep and 10–15cm apart. Cover with soil or peat-free compost and firm gently.
Water after planting to settle the soil. Afterwards, water only when the soil is dry during active growth and avoid waterlogged conditions throughout winter.
On the day flowers open, remove the three red stigmas with clean tweezers and dry thoroughly before storing. Leave the foliage until it yellows naturally in spring.
- Botanical name
- Crocus sativus
- Flower colour
- Violet, purple
- Bulb size
- 9/10
- Established height
- 10-20cm
- Established spread
- 5-10cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant spacing
- 150 bulbs per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
-
Sheltered
Exposed - Rabbit resistant
- No
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
- Free draining
- Soil type
-
Loam
Sandy
Multipurpose compost
Loam-based compost
Clay - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Ground cover
lawns
Meadows
Gravel gardens
Wildlife gardens
Coastal gardens
Rockery
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens
Indoors - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade
Dappled shade
Full shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1st year
Perfect for pots
Pollinator-friendly
For indoor growing
Great for shade
Thrives in full sun
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed in paper
Naturalising
Low maintenance
Attracts wildlife
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Crocus sativus reviews
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