Growing Good Crocosmia

The national plant collection of Crocosmia in Lincolnshire has 270 different varieties.
Most are grown in containers to make use of the available growing space.

Growing Hints and Tips

• The bronzed leaf varieties are a bit tricky being more tender and slower to bulk up. Given good drainage and a warm sunny spot then Nigricans or Dusky Maiden may be OK. ‘Dark Leaf Apricot’ (Coleton Fishacre) should be even easier.
• Crocosmia like plenty of water in the growing season and are hardy in winter as long as they do not get too wet.
• A warm sunny spot suits Crocosmia best but do not forget the water.
• Crocosmia attract insects and if possible leave the leaves on through the winter as wildlife utilise these leaves to make their homes. The old leaves also help protect emerging shoots from spring frosts but you can mulch instead if you wish.
• Montbretia can be rampant and others you should watch out for include Red King, Meteore, Red Star and Marcotijn.

Choice Varieties

Crocosmia masoniorum ‘Jupiter’ – Long single sprays of lovely bright orange flowers with a burgundy stripe down each petal, blue/green leaves ‘Firebird’ has many sprays of extraordinarily large flame red flowers with a striking golden centre. ‘Scarlatti’ has 4 feet tall spikes of pillar-box red flowers with conspicuous yellow stamens. ‘Rowallane Yellow’ is also 4’ tall.

Crocosmia compacts include ‘Vulcan’ a variety with many deep red flowers on short stems, ideal for a smaller garden 1-2ft ‘Debutante’ with dainty salmon orange flowers fading to a cerise pink with age and ‘Bicolor’ – An old variety which has small flowers with alternate tepals of golden yellow and vermilion red, 1-2ft

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘His Majesty’ – An old fashioned variety with large flowers which are apricot overlaid scarlet-orange at the edges 2-3ft (Aug-Sept) ‘Pepper’ has a creamy background splashed with orange. ‘Sultan’ has red booms with
an orange blotch. ‘Mephistopheles’ dates from 1925 and produces a high plant.

Crocosmia ‘Severn Sunrise’, ‘Burford Bronze’ ‘Lucifer’, ‘Okavango’ and ‘Highlight’ are all other varieties to watch out for.

Descriptions and information from ‘Crocosmia Carnival’ The Garden September 2009, Holden Clough nurseries and Mark Fox the National Plant collection holder.