Plant of the Season CROCUS

With their sumptuous hues, the appearance of crocuses (or croci) in the garden is a much welcome harbinger of spring. There are some 90 species of different sizes, shapes and colours and they have been popular garden plants for centuries. The usual flowering times are spring and autumn.

Originating thousands of years ago in Asia and the Mediterranean, the popularity of the crocus gradually spread throughout the world. However, there was one species, Crocus sativus, that was particularly prized because its stigma were used to produce saffron, the world’s most

expensive spice. This autumn-flowering crocus triggered disputes, wars and made and lost fortunes such was the demand for saffron’s flavouring, colouring and medicinal properties. In fact the name crocus comes from the Latin meaning saffron yellow. In Europe the popularity of saffron escalated dramatically during the Black Death (1347 – 50) as saffron was used as a medicine to combat the plague. During this time the growing of saffron crocuses in England developed particularly in Essex where the light soil provided perfect growing conditions. Today the Essex town of Saffron Walden acknowledges the town’s heritage as a centre for saffron by including the crocus in the town’s crest.

I have a large number of Dutch crocuses ( Crocus vernus) growing in the garden and I planted more this autumn. They have large gobletshaped flowers and are very easy to grow. I like them naturalised in grass but you do have to wait until the foliage has died before mowing to ensure good blooms for the following year.

Plant in the autumn and ensure each corm has its “nose” upwards at a depth of about 4 inches deep. Cover with earth and then water. Divide clumps every 5 years or so.