Crocus sativus Bulbs

Pack of 20 Bulbs

The crocus is typically associated with the first sign of spring, but this autumn-blooming Crocus sativus gets you ready for winter by making your garden look like a jewelry box all fall.

Introduced to Europe from the Middle East around 1800, Crocus sativus is the source of saffron, the quintessential seasoning for paella and other dishes from the Mediterranean and Asia. Each lilac-purple flower produces three red stigmas, which have been used for flavoring and coloring food since Roman times. Fall-blooming Crocus sativus is compact and just a few inches tall, but what a show it produces! The flowers have a chalice shape and open wide, revealing darker blue veins, lively orange styles, and bright yellow anthers.

This crocus grows well in Zones 3 to 8 and can tolerate the first freeze of the year. In fact, it may just be settling in for a nap when spring crocus begin to emerge.

The fall-blooming Crocu