Crocosmia Perennial crocosmias range from the bright canary yellows to the flashy tomato reds. Plant them bursting out of a group of quieter colours or in a subtropical border packed with hothouse colours. The bulbs freely increase and the flowers can be used for cutting.

In this article

Recommended varieties Growing tips

Problem solver Where to see them

Some people still refer to crocosmias as montbretia. This name comes from the French botanist Monsieur de Montbret, but the correct term is definitely crocosmia from the Greek krokos, meaning saffron, and osme meaning smell, alluding to the saffron scent given off by the dried flowers when placed in water.

Besides the old favourites, new hybrids have burst on to the scene in the past 20 years. When using the more electrifying colours, place them with care so you get full value and they don't clash with their neighbours.

C. 'Lucifer': one of the most popular crocosmias because of its flame-red flowers that appear on gently arching stems. These contrast well with the fresh green, sword-like foliage. It has great vigour and produces imposing clumps in the late summer border. Has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

C. masoniorum: has upright-facing blooms of rich vermilion-orange but a new form, with pale yellow flowers, was found at the Garden of Rowallane in County Down, Northern Ireland. Named 'Rowallane Yellow', it's available only from specialist nurseries but is well worth tracking down. Both have been given the Royal Horticultural Society's AGM.

C. paniculata: the largest of the species, which can grow 1.2m (4ft) high. It's also one of the first to flower (in orange), often appearing in June. And afterwards, the seed-heads give extra interest.

C. x crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie': has large bright red blotches on a dark orange background.

C. x crocosmiiflora 'Star of the East' produces the largest flowers. Its star-shaped apricot blooms have six regularly spaced, broad petals. This is one of the latest to flower, and often blooms until October. As a general rule, the varieties with large flowers, such as 'Star of the East', are the least frost hardy.

Site and soil preferences

Well-drained soil in sun or dappled shade.

Plant protection

Once established, crocosmias require only the minimum of care, but in cold areas it's worth covering plants with a deep mulch of well-rotted compost or straw in winter.

Overcrowding

Plants that aren't flowering freely can be divided in the spring. Split them into small clusters and replant in soil enriched with compost, and give a sprinkling of general fertiliser.

Crocosmias are mostly problem free.

National Collection of Crocosmia

M A Fox
9 North Street
Caistor
Lincolnshire
LN7 6QU
Tel: 01472 859269 / 07971 006 462
Website: www.simplesite.com/crocosmia
Opening times: By appointment only