Saffron

Crocus sativus   4 in pot Height: 6-10 inches Spread: 6-10 inches Full sun  Saffron is truly something special. It’s a type of crocus with stunning purple flowers that only bloom for a week or two each fall. Those blooms hold the real treasure—vivid orange threads called stigmas, which are painstakingly harvested by hand to become the world’s most expensive spice. Saffron has a deep history, too. It’s been cultivated and cherished by different civilizations for over 3,500 years, and interestingly, you won’t find it growing in the wild—it’s entirely a product of human care and careful breeding. Each tiny corm (or bulb) sends up a few blossoms, and the grass-like leaves start showing up just before the flowers. Adding saffron to food, or even using it as a natural dye, brings this ancient tradition right into the present. It’s amazing how such a delicate flower can hold so much color, flavor, and history in each tiny thread. Image from NC State Extension