I planted some saffron crocus a few years ago in a shrub border under a dogwood tree in less than ideal soil. They did ok and produce a very pretty flower at a time when few other bulbs are blooming. I haven't tended to them very much over the years and some are still there so they seem to be tough. They have not spread any.

If you're considering doing this to actually harvest the spice, try them in a few different places for a year or two and see how they do. It's my understanding that they prefer light, well drained soil and low annual rainfall which might be hard for you in GA.

I'm sure you are aware that the collectible saffron from one flower is barely enough to see. That's one reason it's so expensive. And be sure that you order them from a reputable bulb company since not all "Autumn Crocus" are Crocus sativus.

Good luck.
Sandy

Sandy

Normally I'd agree with you about Georgia rain, but we've been in a drought-situation for several years!

Be that as may be, my front flower bed faces South, yes, but there's a roof overhang that prevents much of the rainwater that we do have from reaching the bed. I usually grow self-seeding marigolds there, and I haven't ever watered them except the first year when I sowed the seeds. Whatever reaches the bed dries up pretty quickly, being next to a low concrete porch.

Do you suppose that this would be dry enough for the saffron to flourish? It appears that yours were in less than optimal conditions but have survived!

I guess all I can do is try them. And yes, I'd like to use them for the spice AND color in the front.

There are plenty of warnings on the internet about other "autumn crocus" that are actually poisonous, so saffron-seekers should make sure to get the right bulbs!

Saffron may cost more than gold per ounce, but really. How often do you need that much? It isn't that expensive per recipe.

My mother grows saffron in VA. I know she grew it when living in Texas. I'm not sure how. She has also grown it in WY, KS and OK...anywhere she goes. Saffron goes. In her zone 8 VA garden, it is part of her flower bed. In my zone 4 snow globe, I'm attempting to overwinter my bulbs inside. I got mine from http://www.richters.com

Just dive in, Anney! :=)

I've successfully grown it in a well-drained plastic bin. I'm in Austin, Texas. I decided on the bin so I could move it around if it looked like it needed more light, and also so I could protected it easier. The deer around here will eat it to the ground.

That's fascinating. I should try it. On the scale of vegetative production efficiency, saffron is certainly at the lower end of the scale. Each flower has three stigmas, and it takes 200,000 stigmas to make a pound of saffron herb. I believe you need alkaline soil, and I gather the plants (which are a crocus) are dormant in the summer, and then pop up with flowers in the fall when the bulbs break the ground. Highly cold tolerant.