How did the crocuses actually come to Husum?

Every spring, Husum celebrates the Crocus Blossom Festival. But how did the crocuses get to Schleswig-Holstein? And are they suitable for saffron production? Reporter Tanja has more.

For centuries, the blossoming of crocuses has drawn people to Husum on the rugged North Sea coast. Around four million crocuses transform Husum's castle park into a sea of purple blooms every March. No other castle park or botanical garden in Central Europe boasts such a large crocus population.

Since 1996, Husum merchants have marketed the 'flower wonder': they invite people to the Crocus Blossom Festival - and tens of thousands flock to the North Frisian town to witness the crocus bloom. In many regions, special bus tours to the Crocus Blossom Festival are organized.

To ensure no one travels in vain, the status of the crocus bloom can be checked online beforehand.

Crocuses originally come from southern Europe. The exact reason and method of their arrival in Husum are unclear. Two legends offer explanations: monks or a pastry chef.

Option 1: The monks. They may have planted the purple-blooming plants in their monastery garden in the 15th century to produce saffron from the dried stigmas of the crocuses and dye their liturgical garments.

Option 2: Duchess Marie Elisabeth planted the crocuses in the mid-17th century to obtain saffron for flavoring her pastries.

What is certain is that the planters must have been very surprised when they tried to extract saffron from the stigmas of 'Crocus neapolitanus.' It didn't work.

The purple crocus in Husum merely resembles the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). Its colorants and flavorings are absolutely unsuitable for saffron production.

Thanks to its proximity to the North Sea, Husum offers favorable conditions for the crocus bloom. Benefiting from a mild winter climate, the crocuses have survived as wild plants for over 300 years without human intervention, have multiplied, and become naturalized.

The Crocus Blossom Festival in Husum traditionally opens on a Saturday in March at 11 a.m. on the steps of the Old Town Hall at Husum's market square, where the newly elected Crocus Blossom Majesty receives the crown from the previous year's majesty.

At the castle, a craft market invites browsing, while at Husum's market square, crocuses can be purchased at the flower market. Many stores in town open their doors on the shopping Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.