Characteristics:
Has
lavender flowers, blooms in fall, and bears fragrant stigma tips that are dried
to make the spice saffron. Flowers reach 5 inches high and the narrow, bladelike
leaves 12 inches high. Growing
Information:
In
early fall, plant in full sun and fertile but well-drained soil. Space bulbs
3 inches apart in large masses for the best ornamental display. Mark their
position on a garden plan or with golf tees, so you don't disturb them when
they are dormant. Propagation:
Corms
divide easily after foliage has died back. Cultivars:
You
can find white-flowered forms. Possible
Problems:
Be
certain you buy saffron crocus and not autumn crocus (Colchicum
spp.),
which has larger, showier flowers and is poisonous. Provide well-drained soil
to avoid rot. Harvesting
and Using:
Pluck
off the brightly colored tips - the stigmas - inside the flowers and dry to
store. They're tiny, so you'll need a lot of flowers to get a small harvest.
Use them in rice and noodle dishes. |