There are over 70 species of crocus and hundreds of cultivars, the best known being the spring-flowering Dutch crocuses, which have bold, goblet-shaped flowers. Crocus tomasinianus is one of the earliest spring-flowering varieties. Autumn also has its crocus treasures, including Crocus sativus, which is famed for being the source of precious saffron.

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HOW TO GROW
Plant spring-flowering bulbs during the autumn and autumn-flowering bulbs during the spring in any soil, provided it is well drained, about three to four inches deep and four inches apart. Indoors, crocuses can be grown in decorative pots, in water-filled crocus vases or on a bed of water-soaked pebbles.

SAFFRON
The three stigmas inside the deep-purple petals of the autumn-flowering Crocus sativus are collected and dried to create saffron. Saffron is used to add colour and flavour to Spanish, North African and Middle Eastern dishes. Bulbs can be bought from specialist suppliers.

WHERE TO BUY
Broadleigh Gardens, Bishops Hull, Taunton, Somerset TA4 1AE.
Jacques Amand, The Nurseries, Clamp Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 3JS.
Crocus sativus can be bought from specialist suppliers only in the UK, listed by the RHS.

Click here to visit our beautiful crocus gallery.

WORDS AND STYLING JACKY HOBBS
PHOTOGRAPHS MICHELLE GARRETT