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HC008528
Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) blooms in autumn with lovely lilac petals enclosing three deep orange-red stigmas per flower. These are the source of what we know of as saffron, the world’s most expensive spice. Not only are these lovely crocuses a source of visual candy in the fall, but you can harvest the spice yourself and enjoy them in recipes throughout the year. Plant your saffron Crocus bulbs as soon as they arrive in late summer. They will sprout and grow in about 6-10 weeks (sometimes in as little as 4-6 weeks), putting on a colorful fall display. If there is danger of frost in your area, plant in containers that can be brought indoors.
Zones | 6 - 10 |
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Advantages | |
Light Requirements | |
Annual Rainfall |
|
Mature Plant Size | 4" tall |
Bulb Spacing | 12 bulbs per sq. ft. |
Bloom Time | Mid to late fall |
Shipping | Shipping begins the week of August 12th, 2019 Learn More… |
Size | Bag of 12 |
SKU | HC008528 |
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.
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 |
HC008528 |
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Common Name |
Saffron Crocus |
Botanical Name |
Crocus sativus |
Zones |
6, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
Light Requirements |
Full Sun, Morning Sun & Afternoon Shade |
Flower Color |
Purple |
Height |
Under 6 inches |
Mature Height |
4" tall |
Bulb Spacing |
12 bulbs per sq. ft. |
Flower Bulb Size |
9 cm |
Planting Depth |
Plant 2-4" deep |
Bloom Time |
Mid - Late Fall |
Bloom Time |
Mid to late fall |
Advantages |
Good for Containers, Multiplies / Naturalizes, Edible |
Amount Of Rain |
10 to 20" |
Soil Type |
Sandy Soil, Average Soil, Drought / Dry Soil, Well-Drained Soil |
Soil Moisture |
Average |
Item Package Size |
Bag of 12 |
Ships As |
Bulb, Rhizome, Tuber |
Planting Time |
Fall |
Ideal Region |
Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Suitable Above 7000 ft |
Ships To Canada |
No |
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
Zone | Shipping Status |
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Zone 2 | Shipping begins the week of August 12th, 2019 |
Zone 3 | Shipping begins the week of August 12th, 2019 |
Zone 4 | Shipping begins the week of August 12th, 2019 |
Zone 5 | Shipping begins the week of August 12th, 2019 |
Zone 6 | Shipping begins the week of August 12th, 2019 |
Zone 7 | Shipping begins the week of August 19th, 2019 |
Zone 8 | Shipping begins the week of August 19th, 2019 |
Zone 9 | Shipping begins the week of August 26th, 2019 |
Zone 10 | Shipping begins the week of August 26th, 2019 |