peas planted!

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Saturday, October 31, 2009

garden surprise - a saffron crocus blossom

saffron crocus 2
saffron crocus 3 saffron crocus in the garden

What a surprise in the back garden today! A stunning saffron crocus. I planted a few of these fall blooming bulbs many years ago and they never fail to startle me. The stamens are an unreal intense piercing orange. A color all of its own. And the blue petals are so gentle in contrast. Soft and quiet with a fine pattern. And all this on the background of dry rustling and fall leaves. I sat and watched with my coffee cup for quite some time.

Here's where I got this: McClure & Zimmerman, crocus sativus

© Skippy's Vegetable Garden
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13 comments:

  1. MatronOctober 31, 2009 4:17 PM

    I came by some fresh saffron strands a few years ago. Such a wonderful fragrance, and so much more pungent than the dried stuff from the shops. Treat yourself to some fragrant pilaf rice!

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  2. kathyOctober 31, 2009 5:29 PM

    I've never harvested them. I only have one flower every year and can't bear to pick the saffron. Maybe I'll get a few more.

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  3. ErinOctober 31, 2009 6:32 PM

    Oh wow ... it's stunning. What a wonderful surprise. I didn't even know there were fall-blooming crocus. Gorgeous!

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  4. LisaOctober 31, 2009 9:17 PM

    I love saffron crocus just for their appearance -- I have about 8 plants, and I try to carefully snag the stigmas and dry them. But, they don't really seem too different than what you can buy (unlike so many other things!)

    Lisa

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  5. Ali HNovember 01, 2009 9:13 AM

    Oh, I was coming to ask if you ever harvest the saffron! Maybe you could try tweezering the threads out without disturbing the rest of the flower, so you can enjoy the lovely crocus and see what real fresh saffron tastes like?

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  6. AnonymousNovember 04, 2009 8:42 PM

    Oh I would love to have a field of saffron crocus growing as far as I can see. They are absolutely gorgeous, not to mention the diamonds and gold of the herb world.

    ~Felicia~

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  7. Elaine HatcherNovember 10, 2009 11:08 AM

    What kind of camera did you use to take this picture? It's really lovely.

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  8. kathyNovember 10, 2009 2:25 PM

    I have a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. A fantastic camera that I highly recommend. Its relatively light and small for a digital SLR, a good size for my hands. I take it everywhere with me.

    I have two lenses. A general purpose Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens. Also a wonderful Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens. I used the macro for these photos.

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  9. AnonymousMarch 27, 2010 10:04 AM

    Will any crocus do for harvesting saffron, or is it a special crocus bulb?

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  10. kathyMarch 27, 2010 2:36 PM

    No, it has to be a Saffron Crocus. There are several varieties of saffron crocus, all bloom in the fall.

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  11. OlenJanuary 10, 2011 1:32 PM

    A few things I have learned in researching and practical experience: Most crocuses are poisonous, especially the spring-flowering varieties, and meadow crocus, that most of us are used to. Nichols Garden Nursery is a good source of bulbs (corms) and also for various old variety plant seeds. Do a web search for them. Saffron should not be watered during the summer, when they are normally dormant...Hence, most of us would be advised to plant them in pots. BUT, they get planted deeper than spring crocuses...6-7 inches, so you need a deep pot.

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  12. OlenJanuary 10, 2011 1:34 PM

    BTW...As most of you probably know by now, most saffron substitutes are useless for flavor, though they can give the saffron coloring. But, I have tried drying marigold petals and drying them and the both give color and some flavor that is closer to saffron than any other substitute. Not perfect, but better than nothing.

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  13. kathyJanuary 10, 2011 11:00 PM

    Sounds good. Thanks!

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