This purple, fall-blooming crocus is the source of the spice saffron, which is actually the red stigmas of the saffron flower. Although it is very expensive to buy saffron, the plant is easy to grow and provides a nice source of color in the fall when not much else is in bloom. Saffron likes a dry summer, so it is important not to overwater it when dormant to prevent the corms from rotting.
This is a super-early bloomer for me. For two mild winters now, it started blooming in early January and lasted until early March. The temperatures dropped down to the teens but didn't affect the blooms.
Ruby Giant is well named as it has a much, much larger flower than common tommies. Also, the color on Ruby Giant just shimmers. I bought lots more of these to plant this fall after I saw how pretty the ones I had were this spring.
I love these little guys! They come up early, with my snow crocus (C. chrys.), and the squirrels don't seem to bother them. Leaves and sometimes buds will get nibbled by bunnies, but much less an issue than with the giant crocus. I first came across them as a "Martha Stewart pick" -- and I see why she thought they were special. They've multiplied well at the edge of a garden (dry in summer), less well (but still persisted) in a grassy area. They open to reveal a cheerful sunny heart and close up again at night or on a cloudy day.
Very pretty, both with the blooms closed, when the outer purple color shows, and fully open, when you see the inner side of the petals, which are white with delicate blue-purple veining.
Years ago, I bought many packages locally of what was supposed to be Crocus 'Blue Pearl'. The following spring, I realized that the flowers of Blue Pearl turned out to be Crocus 'Cream Beauty'. At first I was disappointed, but in time I discovered I loved Cream Beauty. The creamy yellow color of the flowers, mixed with the bright orange color of the stamens, makes this a beautiful and memorable crocus. It lasted many years in my garden until the wild rabbits discovered the clump. The rabbits ate not only the leaves, but also the flowers, and the bulb needs the leaves to store up energy for the following year.
I have fond memories of these jolly plants popping up through the snow in my Mom's front lawn. I don't remember that she bothered to let the foliage age naturally, my guess is Dad just mowed over them as he mowed the grass.
A lovely early-blooming species of snow crocus. I planted about 50 Gypsy Girl bulbs late last fall. I do love the golden yellow coloring and the really striking purple stripes along the outside of the blooms.
Valuable source of nectar and pollen for honey bees. The pollen color is light orange.
