Saffron Crocus at the Shakespeare Garden

In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, saffron was widely cultivated in certain regions of England. Women and girls were often trained to perform the delicate and intricate work of harvesting the tiny stamens, which were highly valued for their vibrant color and distinct flavor. In Shakespeare’s time, saffron was used as a dye for coloring fabrics and served as a more affordable alternative to gold leaf. It was also a popular ingredient for adding color and flavor to soups, stews, pies, cakes, and pastries. As a medicinal herb, it was believed to have aphrodisiac properties, as suggested by a housewife’s manual of the era, which claimed it could “cause the standing of the yard” and also “prevent the standing of the yard.”

Although Shakespeare never mentions the crocus by name in his plays, he does refer to saffron. Rather than highlighting the beauty of the crocus flower, he focuses on the practical uses of the plant, referencing the “saffron wings of Iris” from Greek mythology and mentioning saffron as both a fabric dye and a culinary spice.

While many of us associate crocuses with the small, colorful blooms that herald the arrival of spring, the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) blooms in the fall. Its flowers are a delicate light pink to purple, with vivid red stigmas that are harvested for saffron. The bulbs, known as corms, should be planted in mid-to-late summer. Saffron crocuses thrive in medium-moist, well-drained soil with full sun to part shade and are hardy in zones 5 through 9. Fall-flowering crocuses are particularly striking when planted alongside ground covers, creating a beautiful late-season display.