Guide to growing garden plants - Crocus (Saffron)
Crocus are hardy bulbs that are beloved by many gardeners, as they flower in the late winter and early spring; helping to bring a touch of life into the garden following the winter.
They have flowers of yellow, purple or white that have upturned petals and are instantly recognisable.
Some of the common varieties of crocus include Saffron and Spring crocus.
The petals of the saffron crocus are used in culinary circles to enrich things as diverse as rice and bread.
How to grow Crocus
It is best to grow crocus from bulbs outdoors. These should be planted at a depth of 5 to 7cm into a rich soil (pH 6 to8) in the autumn. If you plan to sow crocus seeds then you should plant them at a depth of 3mm into a cold frame, and leave to grow for two years before moving to the final location. It usually takes crocus seeds about four years to flower when planting them from seeds. The crocus should be transplanted into their final location at about 5 cm apart into a sunny area of the garden which has good drainage.
Caring for crocus in the garden
The crocus plants should be fertilised in the spring and the leaves removed from the plant once they have fully shriveled and died.