sativus

Needs planting 12-15cm deep and full sun. Please order early.

When the crocuses are in flower in autumn, harvest the saffron strands by removing the long, deep- red stigmas using tweezers. (Each flower produces only three stigmas, so be careful.) Allow the harvested stigmas to dry out thoroughly by arranging them on a paper towel and leaving them for a few days in a warm, dry place, then store in an air-tight container. Use very sparingly in a wide range of dishes, both savoury and sweet, where they will add colour and flavour.

Flowering time: October.

Height 4″ (10cm).