Crocus sativus, commonly known as Saffron Crocus, is a unique autumn-flowering crocus producing elegant soft lilac flowers with striking crimson-red stigmas, the source of the world's famous saffron spice. Flowering from September to November and reaching approximately 10cm in height, this beautiful variety adds delicate late-season colour to borders, rockeries, raised beds and containers. Its nectar-rich blooms are also highly attractive to pollinators during autumn when few other flowers are available.

Easy to grow in a sunny, well-drained position, Crocus sativus is ideal for naturalising and can also be grown specifically for harvesting saffron. The vivid red stigmas may be carefully collected from open flowers and dried for culinary use, making this ornamental bulb both beautiful and practical.

Key Features
✓ Elegant soft lilac autumn flowers
✓ Produces edible saffron stigmas
✓ Flowers from September to November
✓ Flowering height of approximately 10cm
✓ Excellent for naturalising
✓ Ideal for borders, rockeries, raised beds and containers
✓ Attractive to autumn pollinators
✓ Easy to grow and harvest

Size
✓ Flowering height: approximately 10cm (4 inches)

Planting & Growing
✓ Planting time: July to September
✓ Flowers: September to November
✓ Position: full sun
✓ Soil: fertile, free-draining soil
✓ Planting depth: approximately 10cm (4 inches)
✓ Spacing: approximately 10cm (4 inches) apart
✓ Suitable for borders, rockeries, raised beds and containers

Aftercare
Allow the foliage to remain after flowering until it dies back naturally, helping the corms build strength for the following season. Harvest saffron by carefully picking the three crimson stigmas from freshly opened flowers and drying them thoroughly before storing. Leave the corms undisturbed where possible, as they will gradually multiply and provide larger displays each autumn.