Saffron Crocus
Details
Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) brightens up fall with soft lilac-violet flowers. Find a sunny, well-drained spot and plant them in a group as soon as you receive them in late August or September. If there is danger of frost in your area, plant in containers that can be brought indoors.
They will return the favor by sprouting quickly and showing off their pretty flowers. Inside the petals, you will find the deep orange-red stigmas (three per flower). This is the famed saffron spice. To harvest it for cooking, simply wait until your flowers are in full bloom on a sunny day. Pluck the stigmas with your fingers or tweezers and then gently dry them on a paper towel in a warm, dry place. Store them in an airtight container and the next time a recipe calls for saffron – voila!
Read our Growing Saffron Crocus article for more information on planting and harvesting Saffron Crocus
| SKU | HFBM112 |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Saffron Crocus |
| Botanical Name | Crocus sativus |
| Zones | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Ships As | Bulb, Rhizome, Tuber |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun, Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade |
| Flower Color | Purple |
| Mature Height | 4" tall |
| Bulb Size | 9 cm |
| Bulb Spacing | 12 bulbs per sq. ft. |
| Planting Depth | 4" deep |
| Bloom Time | Mid to late fall |
| Planting Time | Fall |
| Soil Type | Sandy Soil, Average Soil, Drought/Dry Soil, Well-Drained Soil |
| Soil Moisture | Average |
| Amount of Rain | 10 to 20", 20 to 30" |
| Advantages | Good for Containers, Edible, Multiplies / Naturalizes |
| Ideal Region | Suitable Above 7000 ft, Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, West, Pacific Northwest |
| Ships to Hawaii, Alaska & Canada | No |
Planting Guides
Growing Saffron Crocus: Basic Planting Steps
Step 1: Plant bulbs as soon as possible after receiving them.
Step 2: Decide on a planting style:
A: Plant crocus bulbs close together to form a cluster, this technique creates a full showy colorful display. Space 12 bulbs per square foot.
B: For a more natural look, plant crocus bulbs speckled throughout a garden, or under trees.
C: Plant in a container with well-draining soil.
Step 3: To plant, dig a hole 2-4” deep for each bulb. Plant bulb pointy side up. If the crocus bulbs are being planted in poor soil conditions, add a layer of organic compost, bone meal or Yum Yum Mix around the crocus bulbs. Back-fill with soil and water thoroughly to remove air pockets.
Read our Growing Saffron Crocus article for more information on planting and harvesting Saffron Crocus
View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Reviewsby PowerReviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 8 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
88%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Accurate instructions (6)
- Healthy (6)
- Attractive (5)
- Hardy (4)
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden (4)
- Outdoors (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid gardener (6)
- Primary use:
- Personal (8)
Reviewed by 8 customers
Displaying reviews 1-8
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Attractive
- Fragrant
- Hardy
- Healthy
- Lightweight
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden
- Lawn
- Outdoors
Comments about High Country Gardens Saffron Crocus Bulbs:
Lovely, healthy bulbs, sent a correct time for planting in my zone. I was so amazed that most of the plants bloomed the first fall. All of the bulbs came up. I'm looking forward to more saffron this fall!
- Primary use:
- Personal
Comments about High Country Gardens Saffron Crocus Bulbs:
Harvested the pistils, dried them, and using them in recipes requesting saffron.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Hardy
- Healthy
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden
- Outdoors
Comments about High Country Gardens Saffron Crocus Bulbs:
Somewhat hard to find and usually much more expensive. These bulbs were large, healthy, and reasonably priced.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Attractive
- Hardy
- Healthy
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden
Comments about High Country Gardens Saffron Crocus Bulbs:
I never even knew how saffron grew until I read an article in the Denver Post entitled "Saffron growers look for a foothold in the U.S." Once I realized I could grow this expensive spice at home, I checked HCG to see if they sold it. Sure enough . . . so I ordered it and planted it in three different spots in my landscape. I was thrilled when ALL the bulbs bloomed in the fall, and I enjoyed harvesting the stigmas for a little "red gold" to add to my spice cabinet.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Well, they did come up in the expected timeframe
Cons
- But, they did not bloom.
Best Uses
Comments about High Country Gardens Saffron Crocus Bulbs:
Planted in my garden according to the provided instructions.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Attractive
- Healthy
Cons
Best Uses
- Garden
Comments about High Country Gardens Saffron Crocus Bulbs:
Ordered these beauties earlier this year, planted them, they've bloomed and I was able to harvest saffron! Very impressed, nice size bulbs, easy planting instructions.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Attractive
- Healthy
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about High Country Gardens Saffron Crocus Bulbs:
I planted 5 dozen of these lovely bulbs this year and they did not disappoint. They are fast to grow, fast to flower and my kids love collecting the stamens to use for cooking. So few flowering bulbs produce anything edible and these are a stellar exception.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
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Pros
- Accurate Instructions
- Attractive
- Blooms late fall
- Hardy
- Healthy
- Makes saffron!
Cons
Best Uses
- Outdoors
- Patio
- Pool Area
Comments about High Country Gardens Saffron Crocus Bulbs:
Truly incredible flower with very unique bloomtime of late fall.
The colors are breathtaking!
They make a wonderful last supper for end of season pollinators.
I leave the blade like leaves resembling grass year round. To remind me where they are planted and also because I enjoy their look. The long blades arch gracefully back to the ground. They are not spiky, but gracefully bending. they remind me of beargrass found in the Rocky Mountains.
This took much longer than I was expecting to come to fruition, two months when I was looking for them after just a "few weeks" as promised in the listing. Now that I know to adjust my expectations, I don't worry, I just enjoy these beauties! Every single bulb produced for me.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Images shared by Crickets Meyeres
(22 of 22 customers found this review helpful)
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Displaying reviews 1-8
Q & A
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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).
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