General gardening topics

How to grow Crocosmia to get the most out of these stunning plants

Last updated on June 8th, 2022

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Crocosmias are a great way to add bright flowers to your border gardens, full of citrus coloured shades. There are literally hundreds of varieties to choose from, for example, the popular Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ with bright red flowers (as shown in the main picture) or the Crocosmia ‘Spitfire’ that produces fiery orange flowers, this is also a dwarf variety. So, you should be able to find a Crocosmia that is perfect for you and your garden, no matter the size, shape, and style of your garden.

Some varieties have upright growing habits, with bright green leaves while others produce sprays of flowers you will no doubt want to display on your tables. They also make excellent cut flowers, plus they flower prolifically and can be divided every 3 years to provide you with bigger and better displays. 

Where to grow Crocosmia plants

If you want to plant Crocosmias in your garden you will need fertile, well-draining but moist soil. They aren’t fussy about soil type but they seem to do better in slightly acidic soil.

They also prefer full sun but if you only have an area with light shading and some sunlight for part of the day, they will usually survive there too.

As mentioned, they need well-draining soil because they must be watered regularly (without, of course, becoming waterlogged). Consider digging plenty of organic compost to improve the water retention to help keep the soil moist. If the area is a little prone to waterlogging then we recommend improving the soil first, digging in plenty of grit and organic matter.


How to plant Crocosmia

Crocosmias are corms, which means you can plant them using the same method as bulbs. For this, dig holes in your garden 8 inches deep and fill them with well-rotted compost. Place a few corms in the hole, about 6 to 8 inches apart around 3 to 5 inches deep. This will help you create a reasonably sized clump of flowers in the near future. Then, cover with soil and water well, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged because this can rot the combs. 


General Care

Once planted, you will need to protect them during winter and of course, keep them from drying out in summer. This simply means keeping the soil moist and now allowing them to dry out. They multiply very quickly so, within a few years, the clumps will be congested and need dividing in order to keep up the health and long-term the flowers that are produced. 


Propagating Crocosmias

If you want to propagate from your Crocosmia, you can remove the clumps in spring, divide them, and then replant the divisions. We recommend that this is something you should do every 3-4 years. 

You can learn more about how and when to divide Crocosmia in this guide

Croscosmia flower best when a little crowded but they do best with divided every 3-4 years in spring. Learn how to divide crocosmia step by step now

Problems – keep an eye out for spider mites

The good news is, unlike most plants, Crocosmia doesn’t have that many problems and remains disease and pest free most of the time. However, they can experience issues with spider mites.

The problem with the red spider mite is that they are so small you often don’t notice they are a problem until they have multiplied to the point of making webs across the plant. So, as soon as you notice the issue, treat them with a pesticide spray. 


Recommended Varieties

  • For compact gardens, you can grow the Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’ that has bright orange flowers with a mahogany throat. 
  • The Crocosmia ‘Citronella’ is an upright plant with small, yellow flowers. 
  • For height, you should try the Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ which grows up to 1.5m and produces fiery red blooms. 
  • For a hybrid with stunning, orange-red flowers, you can try the new Crocosmia ‘Harvest Sun’.
  • If you want a medium height plant, try the Crocosmia ‘George Davison’. It grows to approximately 60cm and produces upright stems of golden yellow coloured flowers.

See the availability of Crocosmia that Yougarden.com have for sale

Bestseller No. 1
10x Crocosmia Large Flowering Mix Summer Flowering Bulbs Spring Planting Easy to Grow Montbretia Hardy Garden Perenial Flowers
  • Beautiful bright funnel-shaped flowers that grow throughout the summer months. Mixed Crocosmia selection containing yellow, red and orange blends.
  • Ideal for borders and containers. Excellent cut flower. Deer and rabbits resistant. Height: 60-90cmcm.
  • Crocosmia are excellent plants for wildlife gardening as they attract both hoverflies and bumble bees.
  • Easy to grow. Crocosmia bulbs prefer to be planted in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. The soil should be well-draining, fertile, and slightly acidic with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Plant the bulbs 3-4 inches deep and about 6-8 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up. Size 6+ bulbs supplied
  • You will receive pack of 10 quality bulbs, size 6+ in eco-friendly recyclable packaging with detailed instructions included
Bestseller No. 2
GreenBrokers Big Buy MEGA Pack Crocosmia Summer Flowering Bulbs, Mixed Colours (50 Bulbs) "Bee & Butterfly Friendly"
  • Brilliant big value bag of bulbs fantastic for attracting bees butterflies and other wildlife to your garden
  • Vibrant mixed Colour assortment
  • The bag contains 50 Crocosmia Mixed bulbs size 4/5
  • The bulbs are packed in an environmentally friendly brown paper bag with a carry handle and a large picture card on the front of the pack. On the back of the picture card you will find planting and care instructions. Each variety is packed separately inside the pack and clearly labelled.
  • Premium quality bulbs "Holland Selection Quality Mark" & "PEFC Certified" from sustainably managed forest and controlled sources. Outer packaging can be recycled.
Bestseller No. 3
Crocosmia Carmine Brilliant | Montbretia Plant Garden Ready Outdoor Potted Herbaceous Perennial Plants with Orange Flowers in Pot for Borders, Flower Beds and Pots (10-20cm Incl. Pot)
  • Characteristics: Clump-forming herbaceous perennial plant. Green leaves contrast well against the arching flower stems that bear long-lasting, fiery orange, tubular blooms in Summer. A small yellow throat also appears from the centre of each flowerhead.
  • Growth & Spread: Ultimate height of 0.5-1m and spread of 0.1-0.5m.
  • Period of Interest: Flowers begin to appear in Summer, continuing into Autumn.
  • Care and Maintenance: Place in a spot with full sun or partial shade. Soil should be kept moist, well-drained and watered so it isn't dry to touch. Remove any dead leaves and/or flowers in Autumn ready for new Spring growth.
Bestseller No. 4
Potted 1 Litre Crocosmia Lucifer Monbretia Hardy Summer Garden Perennial Plant : - by GARTHWAITE NURSERIES® : - UK Stockist
  • CATEGORY : - CROCOSMIA “MONTBRETIA” : - VARIETY : - LUCIFER
  • TYPE : - READY POTTED : - SIZE : - 1 LITRE POT : - STAGE : - EARLY STAGES OF GROWTH
  • DESCRIPTION : - ARCHING FLOWERS SHOWY SCARLET-RED TUBULAR FLOWERS
  • QUANTITY PER UNIT : - 1 : - HEIGHT : - 60-70 CM : - BLOOMS : - SUMMER FLOWERING
  • PLEASE NOTE THE PICTURE IS A STOCK PICTURE ONLY AND SHOWS HOW THE PLANT WILL LOOK WHEN FULLY MATURE PLANT SENT IN THE EARLY STAGES OF GROWTH : - PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR PRODUCT DESCRIPTION AND PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Bestseller No. 5
Perfect Plants Crocosmia Emberglow Perennial Plants in a 17cm Pot. Montbretia. Good for Cut Flowers.
  • Crocosmia Emberglow produces tall and elegant stems that branch and arch with vibrant rows of red trumpet flowers, the mid-green leaves are a contrasting backdrop.
  • This garden ready perennial plant is ideal for planting in bold swathes through the border.
  • Crocosmia grow in shade or dry conditions
  • Flowers in June-July and grows to 90cm tall
  • Please note actual plant will look different to the picture depending on when in the season purchased.
Bestseller No. 6
Crocosmia Plant Mix x 3 Plants Including Varities Like Lucifer - Emily McKenzie - Fairy Crimson in 9cm Pots
  • GREAT VALUE - This listing is for 3 seperate plants in a mix of popular and unusual varities
  • SUMMER COLOUR - Crocosmia are relatives of the Gladioli family having very similar attributes like their long sword like leaves and tall arching spiked stems that bare bright funnel shaped flowers throughout the summer
  • EASY TO GROW - Although these deciduous plants are very easy plants to grow for the best results plant them in full sun on a well-drained site
  • CUT FLOWERS - Lift and divide thinning out clumps to maintain vigour and encourage flowering. They make excellent cut flowers
Bestseller No. 7
10x Crocosmia Mix Small Flowering Summer Bulbs Garden Perenial Plant Hardy Easy to Grow Your Own
  • Crocosmia Small Flowering - Pack of 10 bulbs.
  • Mixed small flowering Crocosmia selection containing yellow, red and orange flowers.
  • Easy To grow. Excellent cut flower. Ideal for border or containers.
  • Crocosmia are best planted in fertile, well drained soil in the spring. Plant at approx 8-10cm deep and 10-15cm apart. They can tolerate full sun or partial shade, and best planted in groups.
  • You will receive pack of 10 healthy bulbs, size 6/7
Bestseller No. 8
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'George Davison' montibretia Perennial Plant | 9cm
  • Pot Size (Supplied): 9cm
  • Supplied Height (Incl. Pot): 20-30cm
  • Characteristics: Perennial, green sword-shaped leaves with branched stems that carry several orange flowers in the Summer months.
  • Height and Spread: 1 / 0.5m
Bestseller No. 9
50 Crocosmia Mixed Montbretia Bulbs/Corms Hardy Summer Garden Perennial : - by GARTHWAITE NURSERIES® : - UK Stockist
  • CATEGORY : - CROCOSMIA “MONTBRETIA”
  • VARIETY : - MIXED VARIETIES
  • DESCRIPTION : - ARCHING FLOWERS SHOWY MIXED TUBULAR BLOOMS
  • HEIGHT : - 60-70 CM : - BLOOMS : - SUMMER FLOWERING
  • QUANTITY PER UNIT : - 50 : - PLEASE BE AWARE THESE ARE THE BULBS AND NOT THE PLANT : - PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR PRODUCT DESCRIPTION AND PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Bestseller No. 10
10x Crocosmia Lucifer Summer Flowering Bulbs Firey Stars Spring Planting Red Montbretia Easy to Grow Garden Perenial Flowers
  • Beautiful red flowers that grow throughout the summer months that is known for its vibrant red blooms and sword-like foliage. Double rows of bright funnel-shaped flowers are produced along the top of slightly arching racemes.
  • Ideal for borders and containers. Excellent cut flowers. Deer and rabbits resistant. Also known as "Firey Stars" this showy bulbous perennial have sword-shaped mid-green leaves, the Crocosmia is ideal for planting in bold swathes through hot themed borders - or even just in pots to cheer up a sad-looking patio.
  • Heigh: 90-120cm. The height of Crocosmia Lucifer can vary depending on growing conditions and other factors, but typically it grows to be around 3 to 4 feet (90 to 120 cm) tall.
  • Planting: Crocosmia Lucifer bulbs prefer to be planted in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. The soil should be well-draining, fertile, and slightly acidic with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Plant the bulbs 3-4 inches deep and about 6-8 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up. Size 8/10 bulbs supplied
  • You will receive pack of 10 quality bulbs, size 8/10 in eco-friendly recyclable packaging with detailed instructions included

Last update on 2024-07-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Welcome to my site, my name is John and I have been lucky enough to work in horticultural nurseries for over 15 years in the UK. As the founder and editor as well as researcher, I have a City & Guilds Horticultural Qualifications which I proudly display on our About us page. I now work full time on this website where I review the very best gardening products and tools and write reliable gardening guides. Behind this site is an actual real person who has worked and has experience with the types of products we review as well as years of knowledge on the topics we cover from actual experience. You can reach out to me at john@pyracantha.co.uk

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