Crocus sativus

[momomom]

Most of us think of crocus as a harbinger of spring but there are fall blooming species as well. One of these fall bloomers Crocus sativus, whose girly bits are the source of saffron. The saffron crocus is a pretty purple thing with long red/orange style and stigmas. There are other saffron crocus species as well but C. sativus is the most

Comments

[greenshadows]

They also love dry "Mediterranean" summers like we have on the West coast...they're dormant then and need their beauty sleep. They'll do a lot better if they're not planted in an area that gets watered regularly, but then they appear with the fall rains.

[sekhmetsat]

Yes, DRY HOT SUMMER, cool, wet winters.... I got my best success leaving them in 7" pots on my back porch/sun room window. just don't water at all in spring/ summer, then restart about august...

re: crocus

[hohaiyee]

Here is the thing though, I heard that crocus is poisonous, which is why they are a good alternative to tulips if your area has a deer problem.

Is like, saffron crocus the non-poisonous exception?

Re: crocus

[momomom]

This is purely a guess but perhaps just certain parts are poison.