Crocus sativus (Saffron)

Botanical name

Crocus sativus

Other names

Saffron, Saffron crocus, Blood of Thoth, St Valentine's rose

Genus

Crocus Crocus

Species

C. sativus - C. sativus is a tufted, cormous perennial with narrow, dull to dark green leaves and, borne with or shortly before the leaves in autumn, widely open, lilac-purple flowers with dark purple veins. The prominent red stigmas, once dried, are used in cooking as a seasoning and colour agent.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Flowers are fragrant

Habit

Erect, Clump-forming

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Colour

Flower

Veined, Purple, Lilac in Autumn; Lilac, Veined, Purple in Winter

Foliage

Green in Autumn; Green in Winter

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Mice , Squirrels , Voles

General care

Propagation

Sterile so can only be propagated by division.

Propagation methods

Offsets

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Crocus sativus (Saffron) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 0.1m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, Beds and borders, City, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Gravel, Low Maintenance, Naturalised in turf, Rock

Cultivation

Plant 8cm deep in late summer in gritty, poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Or, grow in a bulb frame or alpine house in equal parts loam, leaf mould and sharp sand or grit. In growth, water freely & low-nitrogen feed monthly.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Crocus sativus (Saffron)

Common pest name

common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Frankliniella schultzei

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Crocus sativus (Saffron)

Common pest name

Eelworm; potato; Eelworm; potato tuber; Iris nematode; Nematode; potato rot; Potato root nematode; Potato tuber nematode

Scientific pest name

Ditylenchus destructor

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Present (Unknown Distribution)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

EU regulated polyphagous nematode pest present in parts of the UK. Marketing schemes and good practice help to reduce impacts

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/