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Crocus sativus

saffron

RHS Plant Shop from £3.99 Sold by 18 nurseries

  • Other common names saffron
    saffron crocus

    blood of Thoth
    St Valentine's rose

    see more

  • Synonyms Crocus sativus var. cashmirianus

  • Family Iridaceae

  • Genus Crocus are dwarf, deciduous perennials growing from a corm, with linear leaves usually with a silvery central stripe, and goblet-shaped, sometimes fragrant flowers in autumn or early spring

  • Details C. sativus is an autumn-flowering corm. It produces large, goblet flowers in pale purple with a red stigma

  • Plant range E. Mediterranean

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H6

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Aspect South-facing

  • Exposure Exposed or Sheltered

Soil

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Sand

    Sand

  • MoistureWell-drained

  • SoilChalk, Loam, Sand

  • pHAlkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height Up to 10 cm

  • Ultimate spread 0-0.1 metre

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

How to grow

Cultivation Requires a sunny, free-draining site in the border. Plant 10cm (4in) deep. Pick stigmas for drying as a flavouring and food colourant

Propagation Propagate by division of clumps or by propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types Flower borders and beds Gravel Garden Patio & Container Plants Mediterranean Climate Plants

How to care

Pruning None required

Pests Beware of mice, voles, squirrels and sparrows

Diseases Corms are susceptible to fungal diseases

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Crocus sativus

saffron

Buy from £3.99 at the RHS Plants Shop

Buy from £3.99 at the RHS Plants Shop

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