Crocus - Saffron Crocus

Family: Iridaceae

Common Name(s): NA

Native to: Central and southern Europe

Flowering: Crocus sativus: Autumn
Crocus chrysanthus: Late winter or early spring

Watering: Water in well at planting time and then on an occasional basis to promote growth.

Planting Aspect: Full Sun, Part Shade

Preferred Climate:

 

Temperate, Subtropical, Grassland

Description

Crocus sativus "Saffron Crocus"
Saffron crocus is the species famous for the saffron obtained from its reddish-orange stigmas used as a dye and to flavour food. This little crocus only grows to 5cm high and has lilac or purple flowers in autumn. They are best suited for cool to cold locations where they can be assured to repeat flower each year or alternatively grown in pots and kept in cool locations in warmer environments.

Crocus chrysanthus "Romance"
Flowering in late winter or early spring, ‘Romance’ has goblet shaped flowers of lemon- yellow inner petals and bluish-grey outside and grows to about 10cm in height. They are best suited for cool to cold locations where they can be assured to repeat flower each year or alternatively grown in pots and kept in cool locations in warmer environments.

Crocus chrysanthus "E.P.Bowles"
Flowering in late winter or early spring, E.P. Bowles has deep butter-yellow goblet shaped flowers with pronounced bronze feathering mainly at the base of the petals and grows to about 10cm in height. They are best suited for cool to cold locations where they can be assured to repeat flower each year or alternatively grown in pots and kept in cool locations in warmer environments.

Cultivation

Crocus requires moist but definitely free draining soil in a sunny to partly shady location. Prepare the growing site by digging over the soil and adding a good handful of blood and bone, rich compost or well decayed animal manure prior to planting out. Plant the corms 10 to 12cm deep and 15cm apart. Water in well at planting time and then on an occasional basis to promote growth. Apply a general fertiliser every spring as new growth is made. No particular diseases but protect them from foraging or digging types of birds and animals such as mice.