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As summer gardens begin to fade and prepare for winter rest, fall flowering crocuses burst into bloom. These little autumn gens are often overlooked in favor of their spring counterparts, but they offer a pop of color just when you need it most.
A Spring Preview
These autumn favourites, such as colchicum or Crocus zonatus, have a unique annual lifecycle.
The leaves, and only the leaves, emerge in the spring to start gathering nutrients. They will then go dormant until late summer to early autumn, when a showcase of blooms begins. The flowers attract pollinators such as bees & butterflies, all while being deer & squirrel resistant.
These crocuses are perennial bulbs that naturalize easily in the right conditions, making them a long-lasting addition to any garden with more blooms every year.
Growing Fall Flowering Bulbs
These bulbs should be established in the early autumn. Plant with the pointed end facing up and water well.
Provide a full sun location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Ensure soil is well-draining, and slightly alkaline. Do not allow soil to become soggy or waterlogged. Amend the soil with compost to improve the nutrients and drainage.
Remove spent flowers as needed.
Fertilize during the spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as new growth starts to emerge. Allow the foliage to grow and then naturally die back. If you notice things are looking over-crowded, you may wish to divide the clump of bulbs in late spring once it has gone dormant.
A culinary favourite: Crocus sativus – Saffron Crocus
The precious spice saffron can be grown right in your own garden, though in very small quantities. Enjoy delicate, mauve blooms and learn why saffron is so rare & beloved.
TIPS:
- The stigmas (or ‘threads’) produce the coveted spice, they protrude from the centre of the flower
- Plant in a sunny, well drained area where the soil stays dry in the summer
- Saffron bulbs flower in the fall, plant in early September for best results
- Dry the harvested stigmas in a cool, dry place; avoiding direct sunlight
- Each bulb will produce a very small amount of spice; it takes approximately 170 flowers to produce 1 gram of dried saffron
Fall flowering crocuses are a celebration of beauty in every season. These little wonders are well worth planting for years of stunning blooms.
