Crocus are such pretty little flowers. The first time I ever grew them was when we lived in Kentucky. I had them growing right by the steps leading up to the front porch. Kentucky was my first time living where we got snow and, while we didn’t get nearly as much snow as some northern folks, after having lived my entire life not far from the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, anything less than about 45º was cold!
Seeing those little snow crocus poke their pretty heads through the snow each spring was my signal that winter was coming to an end and soon I could begin gardening again. The saffron crocus, though just as pretty as the snow crocus, blooms in the fall. Not only does it bloom, but it produces saffron . . one of the most expensive spices around.
Saffron Crocus
Saffron makes such a difference in recipes that call for it but I almost always leave it out because of the cost. Every now and then I’ll buy a little of it and then I’ll just too little of it because of the cost, and end up not even getting the saffron flavor.
For planting zones 6 through 9, saffron crocus is very easy to grow. The saffron is easy to harvest .. no canning needed! I purchased 50 bulbs from Eden Brothers (they’re on sale right now) and hopefully today will get those planted.
Maybe by Thanksgiving I’ll have a little bit of saffron to harvest! The bulbs multiply like crazy and if what I’m thinking will happen does happen, they should spring into action about the time the grasshoppers are gone so I shouldn’t have too much problems with those horrible critters eating all my plants. We’ll see . .
Tracy says
Thanks for posting the link for bulbs. I miss having crocus in my garden. Since moving to arid and warm CA, some 20 years ago, I have found a few substitutes for the spring flowering bulbs I used to grow on the east coast. I had been looking to plant some colchicum bulbs this fall, although they are pretty, they just don’t have the same “look” as the pert little crocus. Our “fall” season is a lot like spring back east. It gets cooler, but stays in the 60s to 70s, and starts to rain again, things begin to green up and its planting time.
I cant wait to see them growing in my garden.
Diana in RR, TX says
We use a lot of saffron. I bring it back from PA. Several little Amish stores out in the middle of no where sell it and I always stock up. I did grow it one year, but not here. Just ordered some again. I have several big pots where i will soon be pulling out the annuals. and of course ordered a few other herbs!
Diana in RR, TX says
We use a lot of saffron here. But then I always bring plenty back from PA. The Amish grow it and we know a few out of the way places to buy it. I have found that the saffron in the Mexican stores doesn’t taste the same. Did try growing it when we lived in MN I think. Didn’t have much success that year. Have ordered some bulbs, have 2 big pots where I will be pulling out the annuals soon. Of course I had to order a few other herbs like my Thai basil!
Diana in RR, TX says
My first comment didn’t show when i looked so posted again!
Susan says
Here I thought saffron would be yellow!
JudyL says
The orange-ish stigma, three per flower, is what is harvested.
Rebecca in SoCal says
That’s very cool! What an exotic spice to grow in your own yard. And right about expense: I think I have bought a jar with a slip of paper that I had to turn in to get the actual saffron! And that from a supermarket.
If you get a good crop, you could even dye fabric. 😀