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Crocosmias are a great way to add bright flowers to your border gardens, full of citrus shades. There are literally hundreds of varieties from which to choose from such as the popular crocosmia lucifer with bright red flowers as shown in the main picture or Crocosmia spitfire which its fire-orange flowers which is a dwarf variety so you can find something no matter the size, shape, or style of your garden.
Some grow in upright shapes, with bright green leaves while others produce sprays of flowers you will no doubt want to display on your tables as they also make the excellent cut flowers, plus they flower prolifically and can be divided every 3 years to get even better displays.
Where to grow crocosmia plants
If you plant Crocosmias you need fertile, well-draining but moist soil. They’re not 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 water-logging 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 the same as bulbs. For this, dig holes in your garden 8 inches deep and fill it 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 and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged as 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 which just 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 flowers produced.
Propagating crocosmias
If you want to propagate, you can remove the clumps in spring and divide them, then replant the divisions. However, you should do this every 3-4 years regularly.
You can learn more about how and when to divide crocosmia in this guide
Problems – keep an eye out for spider mites
The good news is, unlike most plants, Crocosmia don’t have many problems and remain disease and pest free most of the time. However, they can have 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 multiplied to the point of making webs across the plant. So, as soon as you notice the issue, treat it with a pesticide spray.
Recommended Varieties
See availability of crocosmia at Yougarden.com for sale
- For compact gardens, you can grow Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’ which has bright orange flowers with a mahogany throat.
- Crocosmia ‘Citronella’ is an upright with small, yellow flowers.
- For height, you should try ‘Lucifer’ which grows up to 1.5 m with fiery red blooms.
- For a hybrid with stunning, orange-red flowers, try the new Crocosmia ‘Harvest Sun’.
- If you want a medium height plant, try the Crocosmia ‘George Davison’ – at 60cm, with upright stems of golden yellow flowers.
- Crocosmia Monbretia X 50 Bulbs size 6+ Large flowering mix
- Thrive in sun or partial shade.Come back every year.
- Spikes of Red, Orange and yellow showy, funnel-shaped flowers in summer on stems to 1.2m in height
- Perfect for flower borders and beds, but can also be grown in containers, and they make great cut flowers
- Hand packed to order with Growtanical's bulb planting instructions.
- Masses of bright red flowers are produced along the top of the slightly arching spikes in midsummer
- This is a vigorous plant with sword-shaped, pleated, mid-green leaves
- It is perfect for planting in big, bold swathes through 'hot' themed borders, and its upright habit and airy sprays of flowers make it an ideal partner for many flowering grasses
- The flowers are excellent for cutting to bring indoors for the vase
- Please see our other bulbs for sale by clicking BOLLY BULBS below item description.
- Crocosmia Small Flowering Mixed Bulbs supplied as size 6/8
- Dainty yellow, red and orange star shaped flowers
- Height when grown 90-120cm
- Looks great as part of a summer border or can be featured in pots and containers
- All plants come with a APHA registered plant passport. This guarantees that all plants have been through a health check and are genuine. Giving our buyers confidence that all our plants are authentic, and healthy.
- CROCOSMIA PLANT - The montbretia (Crocosmia) belongs to the Iris family (Iridaceae). The plants are suitable for the garden, balcony, terrace or as cut flowers. Crocosmia plants are also commonly known as falling stars.
- ORANGE FLOWER - The "Prince of Orange" grows orange-yellow summer flowers. The pleasant and warm colour combination will refresh your summer garden.
- SUMMER FLOWERING - The bulbs should be planted in spring. They then bloom in summer. By regularly removing withered flowers, you will encourage a second bloom.
- PLANT BULBS - Keep a planting distance of three times the tuber width. The planting depth is three times the height of the tuber. Plant the bulbs in a sheltered spot in well-drained soil.
- HIGH QUALITY AND FAST SHIPPING - At Bakker we help you to make your house and garden, terrace and balcony green. For over 70 years, our customers have trusted the excellent quality of our extensive range of plant products. This makes Bakker the number 1 in shipping plants in Europe
- Wiry branching stems rise above the foliage in summer carrying red buds which open to yellow-throated, carmine-red flowers
- Their strap-shaped leaves are also attractive and provide a vertical accent
- It is perfect for planting in big, bold swathes through 'hot' themed borders, and its upright habit and airy sprays of flowers make it an ideal partner for many flowering grasses
- The flowers are excellent for cutting to bring indoors for the vase
- Please see our other bulbs for sale by clicking BOLLY BULBS below item description.
- These bulbs produce an abundance of bright orange blooms, each flushed with gold, surrounded by masses of sword-like green foliage
- With vibrant colours and upright stems, this hardy perennial is sure to make a garden display that can’t be missed
- Unlike other varieties, this Crocosmia is easy to grow and maintain due to its compact, dwarf habit
- Supplied as 10 x Crocosmia 'Spitfire' Bulbs. Supplied with T&M's very own cultural instructions on how to care for your plants.
- Your satisfaction guaranteed; we want you to be 100% satisfied with any product you buy from us. If you’re not 100% happy then neither are we, so let us know and we’ll replace your product or give you your money back.
- Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’ is a compact crocosmia. Its wide, bright orange flowers have an attractive mahogany throat. It’s ideal for the growing in swathes through the herbaceous border and the flowers are excellent for cutting
- This is a vigorous plant with sword-shaped, pleated, mid-green leaves
- It is perfect for planting in big, bold swathes through 'hot' themed borders, and its upright habit and airy sprays of flowers make it an ideal partner for many flowering grasses
- The flowers are excellent for cutting to bring indoors for the vase
- Please see our other bulbs for sale by clicking BOLLY BULBS below item description.
- Croscosmia ‘George Davison’ bears upright swords of golden yellow, freesia-like flowers from late-summer to autumn
- This is a vigorous plant with sword-shaped, pleated, mid-green leaves
- It is perfect for planting in big, bold swathes through 'hot' themed borders, and its upright habit and airy sprays of flowers make it an ideal partner for many flowering grasses
- The flowers are excellent for cutting to bring indoors for the vase
- Please see our other bulbs for sale by clicking BOLLY BULBS below item description.
- 100 x Crocosmia 'Lucifer' Monbretia Bulbs size 6/8
- Thrive in sun or partial shade.
- spikes of bright red showy, funnel-shaped flowers in summer on stems to 1.2m in height
- Perfect for flower borders and beds, but can also be grown in containers, and they make great cut flowers
- All plants come with a APHA registered plant passport. This guarantees that all plants have been through a health check and are genuine. Giving our buyers confidence that all our plants are authentic, and healthy
Last update on 2021-03-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
