Crocus 'Sativus' - Saffron - Autumn Flowering - Large Flower Bulbs

Saffron is a species of crocus that is grown for its prized stamens.  Crocus sativus or Saffron Crocus has been cultivated for its invaluable red stamens, the source of culinary saffron for many, many years.  This expensive and labor-intensive spice is used to dye fabric, but mostly to flavor foods. It is unknown in the wild and is a product of 3500 years of selective breeding by several different civilizations. This fall-blooming Crocus features large, lilac-purple blooms adorned with darker veins and yellow stamens and more importantly, three vivid red stigmas that extend over the petals.  Precious, these three stigmas are the real saffron and said to be the most expensive spice in the world.  It takes about 40,000 flowers to make one pound of sellable Saffron!  Fortunately, it doesn't take much of true Saffron to jazz up your dishes!  To harvest the saffron remove the bright red stigmas and use fresh or dry and store in air-tight containers for later use. 

While short in stature (4-5 inches tall), this lovely plant naturalizes easily and will come back year after year, multiplying by means of cormlets.  She sports beautiful flowers that appear in fall for a 3 week period when the saffron spice can be collected. Each corm produces several flowers. The leaves are narrow and grass-like and appear shortly before flowering.

Many gardeners enjoy planting these beauties in borders, walkways, rock gardens or in mass plantings.  

Storage . . . Store flower bulbs in a cool dry spot with good air circulation and low humidity until you are ready to plant them. Most flower bulbs should tolerate temperatures between 38-70 F. However, you will want to protect them from heat, frost and strong sunlight. Your flower bulbs should be firm to the touch. Ideally, you should plant them right away.

Planting . . . You will receive top sized bulbs (8/9+cm).  Plant your Crocus bulbs in sandy, well drained soil at a depth of about double the height of the bulb (3 inches), spacing 2-3 inches.  When planting, always place the pointed end up.  When their foliage pushes through the soil, fertilize your Crocus bulbs with a general low-nitrogen fertilizer. These beauties perform best in full sun but will tolerate some shade. The corms are easy to grow but subject fungal disease if the blooming period coincides with a wet period or root rot if planted in a wet location. They will flower shortly after planting in early fall.  Water freely during the growing season and apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer monthly.  Keep completely dry in summer dormancy.  

We package our bulbs carefully and ship them quickly from our greenhouse to you. They arrive safely, ready to plant and thrive in your garden! Detailed planting instructions are included with each purchase.

Ruby Acorn is happy to offer 8/9+cm Crocus Autumn Flowering 'Sativus' bulbs.

Type: Perennial - Blooms Every Year

Growth: 4 Inches

Spread:  1 Inch

Sun: Full Sun

Water Requirements:  Low Watering Needs

Hardiness Zone:  3-8

Bulb Size: 8/9+cm

Plant: Fall; Use Sandy, Well Drained Soil.

Bloom: Early Fall

Bloom Duration: 3 Weeks

Attracts: Butterflies, Bees and Pollinators