Crocomia, formally known as Montbretia, is one of my favourite and easiest to grow perennials that I have in my borders. I not only love it for its bright red flowers which the hummingbirds go crazy over, but also for it unique seed pods and its clumps of strap like foliage. It flourishes in full sun tucked in amongst some of the taller plants in the beds (Crosomia reaches 3 to 4 feet tall) and will bloom for 6 weeks in summer. In early spring I place a perennial cage over it so the foliage and flowers can grow through it and be supported with out being noticed. There are many Hybrids these days but right now the only one I have is '
Lucifer'. Being a fast grower it needs to be divided when flower and plant begin to decline or when the clump has out grown its location. Since Crocosmia '
Lucifer' is such a strong colour its usually planted next to saturated contrasting or complementary coloured blossoms. As a added bonus it makes a great cut flower.
Crocomia, formally known as Montbretia, is one of my favourite and easiest to grow perennials that I have in my borders. I not only love it for its bright red flowers which the hummingbirds go crazy over, but also for it unique seed pods and its clumps of strap like foliage. It flourishes in full sun tucked in amongst some of the taller plants in the beds (Crosomia reaches 3 to 4 feet tall) and will bloom for 6 weeks in summer. In early spring I place a perennial cage over it so the foliage and flowers can grow through it and be supported with out being noticed. There are many Hybrids these days but right now the only one I have is 'Lucifer'. Being a fast grower it needs to be divided when flower and plant begin to decline or when the clump has out grown its location. Since Crocosmia 'Lucifer' is such a strong colour its usually planted next to saturated contrasting or complementary coloured blossoms. As a added bonus it makes a great cut flower.
3 comments:
Hi! I love these as well, but here in zone 4, I have to lift and store...any suggestions? I was gonna try them in a small cube fridge with some cannas and caladiums...cannot store in my normal fridge due to proximity to ripening fruit...what do you think?
Lisa, I would suggest to plant them up in an 8" to 10" pot and plant pot and all in the ground. Pull them up in after the first frost, cut them down, and let the soil dry out and store in your garage (as long long as it stays above freezing) till next year. Then late spring you can put them out again when the soil warms up. This works well with many South African bulbs. If your worried about a hole in the ground during winter months you can fill with pots of tulips or daffs and alternate with the crocosmia. You can do this with your cannas as well.
Lisa, I would suggest to plant them up in an 8" to 10" pot and plant pot and all in the ground. Pull them up in after the first frost, cut them down, and let the soil dry out and store in your garage (as long long as it stays above freezing) till next year. Then late spring you can put them out again when the soil warms up. This works well with many South African bulbs. If your worried about a hole in the ground during winter months you can fill with pots of tulips or daffs and alternate with the crocosmia. You can do this with your cannas as well.
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