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
13 comments:
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!
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.
Oh wow ... it's stunning. What a wonderful surprise. I didn't even know there were fall-blooming crocus. Gorgeous!
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
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?
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~
What kind of camera did you use to take this picture? It's really lovely.
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.
Will any crocus do for harvesting saffron, or is it a special crocus bulb?
No, it has to be a Saffron Crocus. There are several varieties of saffron crocus, all bloom in the fall.
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.
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.
Sounds good. Thanks!
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