Stunningly beautiful autumn blooming crocus. While not the true 'saffron crocus' spice, it has the common name of Meadow Saffron. Absolutely breathtaking when naturalized and allowed to fill in large areas.

Traditional usage (TWM): low dose botanical or homeopathic, gout and rheumatism. Source of alkaloidal colchicine.

The plant prefers a sunny exposure and likes moist soils.  Plant remains dormant much of the year; produces blossoms in the autumn followed by the leaves. Sow in pots. Sprinkle seed on surface of soil in pot and cover with 1/2 inch of coarse, sharp sand or the kind of grit that is sold (cheaply) at farm supply stores for chickens.  Make sure the seed is buried to a sufficient depth, because light retards germination.  

Allow the pots to be out in the shade house or unheated greenhouse.  In the autumn, water very thoroughly, and the seeds will make roots at this time. If you would like to speed this process, stratify at 68 degrees F for 8 weeks, then lower temp to 50  to 60 degrees F for germination.  Seeds will make aerial sprouts in the spring (Hypogeal germinator - plant will form a tiny corm/root before sending up a green shoot). 

ALTERNATIVE FRIDGE METHOD: You can also place the seeds in a damp paper towel or slightly damp peaty soil and place in a baggie and leave in the fridge for the time required. After the 6-8 weeks has passed, you can sow directly or into pots or trays to allow them to grow on. Growing bulbs from seed requires you to "trick" the seeds into going through 6-8 weeks of winter before the weather warms up in spring to allow the seed to begin the germination process. 

Allow seedlings to grow at close spacing for a year, then transplant the small corms to their beds or individuate into pots and work up that way.  They will swell and increase.  Space 6 inches apart, or cluster the plantings, which is the way the plant often occurs in nature.

Family:  Lily (Liliaceae) - Hardy to Zones 4 to 9

(Naked Ladies, Meadow Saffron, Autumn Crocus, Suranjan)

Light to Medium Shade | Low to Average Water | Perennial Bulb | Zones 4-7