 |
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|
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Other
cultivars/Species:
Orange flowers: ‘Olympic Sunrise’; ‘Queen of Spain’
Red flowers: ‘Lucifer’; ‘Saracen’; ‘Zeal Tan’; C. masoniorum ‘Blaze’
Yellow flowers: ‘Solfatare’; ‘Custard Cream’;
‘Walberton Yellow’ |
Crocosmias
contribute much-needed textural relief to the
late-summer border by virtue of their emphatically
vertical silhouette.
Divide clumps only when vigor, flower quality begin to
decline.
The
debate over the general hardiness of crocosmias can be
traced to differing cultural practices, which produce
vastly different outcomes. Most, if not all, can be
considered completely hardy in USDA Zones 6 and above.
Crocosmias are more susceptible to rotting in winter
from excessive wet than they are to damage by freezing.
Crocosmias are also extremely well adapted to container
culture, and can be easily maintained in pots for many
years. Keep the containers cool and dry in winter and
water the plants
regularly during the growing season. |
|
References:
Brenzel,
Kathleen Norris, Ed. 2001. Sunset Western Garden Book. Sunset
Publishing Corporation, Menlo Park, CA.
Hinkley, Daniel J. “Crocosmias.” Horticulture. 01Aug. 2004:
34-39.
|
|
at
a glance:
Common Name:
Montbretia
Plant type:
Bulb
Family:
Iridaceae
Height/Spread:
Vertical blades of
translucent green from 2-4 ft.
Leaves:
Linear, sword-like,
ribbed in basal clumps.
Flowers:
Mandarin-red
flowers. Slender, tubular, with more-or-less spreading lobes,
borne along spikes.
Bloom Period:
Late
summer-early fall.
Disease/pests: Excessive
dryness may encourage spider-mite attacks.
Conditions:
Full sun to lightly dappled shade.
Well drained soil with a generous amount of organic matter. Provide
even, constant moisture.
Natural Range:
Southern Africa
Hardiness:
USDA Zones 6-10
(most cultivars); Lucifer is considered the hardiest.
Location:
Waterwise
garden, visitor center and the perennial border.
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Complete
Index
