did you know?

It takes more than 4,000 saffron crocus flowers to produce an ounce of saffron, the dried red-orange stigmas. Each flower produces only 3 stigmas that must be harvested by hand, making saffron the most expensive spice in the world.

general maintenance:

Crocuses are relatively carefree.

pests/diseases:

Squirrels may eat bulbs.

controls:

Plant in very gravelly soils to deter digging pests. To protect against squirrels, plant corms in wire cages.

how to sow/plant:

In fall, about 6 weeks before the ground freezes, plant in lawn or beds. To prepare beds (using a digging fork to avoid damaging nearby tree roots), turn soil to a depth of 6 inches, and rake smooth. Set corms 3 inches deep and 3?4 inches apart. Unless soil is very dry, there is no need to water after planting.

water and fertilize:

Maintain soil moisture during active growth. Apply bonemeal at planting following label directions. After the ground freezes in winter, mulch beds with evergreen boughs to protect from freeze-thaw cycles.

garden hint:

For a naturalized look, toss a handful of corms on the ground and plant, separating any that land too close together.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage

garden uses:

• Flowerbed borders
• Naturalizing
• Rock Garden

other uses:

• Culinary/Edible (use saffron in risotti, desserts, and pastries)
• Dye (yellow-orange)

combine with:

other bulbs in the rock garden like species tulips, snowdrop cape tulip and crocus for blooms throughout the season.