Crocus 'Sativus' (saffron crocus)

Delivery begins from 14 September 2026
Spring flowering bulbs and plants are scheduled to begin delivery from 14 September 2026.

25 corms
£7.19
£0.29 each
50 corms
£13.39
£0.27 each
Save 7%
250 corms
£60.49
£0.24 each
Save 16%

Delivery begins from 14 September 2026

Carbon-Neutral Delivery

Our "Bloom or Bust" Promise

Sativus, often admired for its purple flowers with red and yellow accents colouring, is a corm variety especially well suited to containers.

Crocus sativus is the saffron crocus: a quietly luxurious little autumn-flowering corm, bringing soft lilac, goblet-shaped blooms just as the garden begins to mellow. Look closely and you’ll find the signature crimson-red stigmas at the heart of each flower, picked out with warm golden tones—an exquisite detail at close quarters.

Neat, clump-forming and only 10cm tall, it is perfectly suited to pots by the door, gravel gardens, rockeries, and warm borders where drainage is assured. Give it sun and shelter, and it will settle in handsomely, returning as a fully hardy perennial and offering welcome late-season interest for pollinators.

  • Autumn colour, refined scale—ideal for containers and front-of-border planting
  • Best in sun with free-draining soil for crisp, healthy growth
  • Distinctive floral detail—lilac petals with red and yellow accents

Delivery: Order Today, Receive in September!

Botanical name Crocus sativus
Flower colour Purple flowers with red and yellow accents
Bulb size 7/8cm
Established height 10cm
Established spread 10cm
Plant spacing 8-10cm
Leaf colour Green with a pale central stripe
Habit Clump-forming
Life cycle Perennial
Hardiness Fully Hardy
Years to establish 2
Sunlight Full-Sun
Position Sunny, sheltered position
Suitable for Containers, borders, rock gardens, gravel gardens
Soil acidity Any
Soil moisture Well-drained
Soil type Free-draining
RHS Award (AGM) No
Growing skill Easy
Pollinator-friendly Yes
Deer resistant No

Where to Plant:

Crocus 'Sativus' (saffron crocus) needs full-sun and a warm, sheltered position for the best flowering. Plant into fertile, humus-rich soil that drains well, and choose a spot protected from strong winds, especially for taller varieties.

How to Plant:

Plant corm from August to October once conditions are suitable. Set them at the correct depth for the variety, spacing 8-10cm apart where relevant, then firm in gently and water well after planting.

Aftercare:

Water regularly in dry weather and feed every two to three weeks once buds appear. Stake taller stems early and deadhead to keep plants flowering. After flowering, allow foliage to die back naturally before lifting or protecting corm according to local conditions.

Planting and Flowering Calendar

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Planting
Flowering

Key Features

Packed in paper

Packed peat-free

Great for Shade

Attracts wildlife

Good for cutting

Naturalising

Crocus 'Sativus' (saffron crocus) - Harding & Bloom

Crocus 'Sativus' (saffron crocus)

£7.19

£7.19

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Kind Words from Our Gardeners

Arrived quickly and well-packaged. Planted them in some pots on the patio and they all came up. Look beautiful. Thank you!

Careane Wallace

Oxfordshire, UK

The bulbs arrived beautifully packaged and you could just tell they were excellent quality. We had the most wonderful display of daffodils this spring on our patio. Simply stunning. Will definitely be ordering again

David P

Kent, UK

I ordered the mixed hyacinth collection and the scent in my garden this April was absolutely heavenly. Every single bulb produced a strong, beautiful flower and the colours were stunning together. A fantastic purchase, I'll be back for more next year!

Eleanor R

Somerset