Crocus plants are relatively small, reaching just 3-6 inches in height (depending on the variety). The leaves are grass-like, generally with a light stripe running up the middle. The blooms pucker up at night and re-open in the morning. This rare, fall blooming crocus is more commonly called the Saffron Bulb or Saffron Crocus! It begins blooming in September and continues through October! The purple flowers have deep purple veining! It's orange-red stigmas are the source of saffron, the worlds most expensive spice! Harvesting Saffron is easy, simply pick the red stigmas on each flower once the flowers are fully open. Plant in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil. It grows 4-6in. tall. Hardy in Zones 5-9. In cooler regions the Saffron Crocus can be grown in containers. You can harvest the saffron when the flowers are blooming. Hirt's is one of the few companies that offer this rare bulb to the gardening public. As they are fall-blooming crocuses, you will plant them in the fall, but they will probably not bloom the year you plant them. Instead, you’ll see foliage in the spring, which will die back, and saffron flowers the following fall. Saffron crocus bulbs do not store well. Plant them as soon as possible after receiving them. Saffron plants need well draining soil and lots of sun. If saffron crocus is planted in swampy or poor draining soil, it will rot. Other than needing good soil and sun, saffron crocus are not picky. When you plant your saffron crocus bulbs, place them in the ground at about 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 13 cm.) deep and at least 6 inches (15 cm.) apart. About 50 to 60 saffron flowers will produce about 1 tablespoon (15 mL.) of saffron spice, so keep this in mind when figuring how many to plant. But, also keep in mind that saffron crocus multiply rapidly, so in a few years time you will have more than enough. After your saffron crocus bulbs are planted, they need very little care. They will be hardy down to -15 F (-26 C). You can fertilize them once a year, though they grow fine without being fertilized as well. You can also water them if the rainfall in your area falls below 1.5 inches (4 cm.) per week.
