Saffron Crocus (Crocus sativus) grows just 4-6 inches tall and its rich, violet-purple blossoms have brilliant orange/red stigmas that are the source of the aromatic, exotic and pricey culinary spice saffron (pricey since you collect the spice from the stigma on the flowers). It’s easy to collect and dry the stigmas from the flowers for your own fresh, first quality, intensely flavored “threads” for cooking. Saffron is easily grown in the garden or containers. Unlike other crocuses that bloom in the spring, saffron crocuses are planted late summer and bloom in the fall. They will flower even in cold weather and easily withstand light frosts. The flowers look pretty on the edge of a sunny lawn or in pots on your patio or deck.

Thrives in full sun or partially shaded areas. well-drained soil with moderate levels of organic matter in full sun. The corms will multiply each year and can be divided to produce more plants. Plant in borders, walkways, rock gardens or in mass plantings. To harvest the saffron, remove the bright orange stigmas and use fresh or dry and store in air-tight containers for later use.Best grown in zones 6-8. 

Growth Habit

Fall bloomer with gorgeous blue flowers with orange and yellow pistils that's easy to grow. This short plant has purple to lavender flowers that appear in fall for a 1–2-week period when the saffron spice can be collected. Each corm produces several flowers. The leaves are narrow and grass-like and appear shortly before flowering. Saffron goes dormant in spring and summer. Bulbs multiply and get larger every year, so your bounty of saffron threads will increase each season.

It's actually a safe and edible spice, with a long history of culinary use. However, high doses of saffron can be toxic, so moderation is key. Given that, we think that it's best to be cautious with this plant where pets are concerned.