Family: Iridaceae

This genus of cormous plants from South Africa has tall, grassy, arching or upright leaves and, in summer, spikes of usually brilliantly coloured flowers. They are popular for mixed borders and they also make good cut flowers.

Species

C. aurea, coppertip, which grows to 1.2 m (4 ft), has sword-shaped leaves and yellow flowers which turn a reddish colour.

C. x crocosmiiflora, montbretia, grows to 1 m (3 ft) or more, and has large, bright orange-red to yellow flower spikes. However, it has become a weed in many areas (particularly so in warm, temperate climates) and must be controlled where it may cause problems. Cultivar 'Emily McKenzie' has large, orange-red flowers with brown markings; 'Jackanapes' is a popular cultivar having bicoloured flowers in orange-red and yellow; 'Golden Fleece' (Synonym: 'Gerbe d'Or') has lemon-yellow flowers; vigorous 'Lucifer' grows to over 1 m (3 ft) high and produces rich tomato red flowers; and 'Rheingold' (Synonym: 'Golden Glory') has pure yellow flowers. Some of these cultivars may not be available. Consult a good mail-order bulb or perennials catalogue.

C. masoniorum, growing to a height of 1 m (3 ft), produces tangerine flowers.

Cultivation

All of the species are hardy, the montbretias especially so. Plant corms in the early spring, 8 cm (3 in) apart and 6 cm (2½ in) deep, in a well-drained, sandy loam in a sunny position. They can be left to form clumps but it is best to divide them about every three years. Crocosmia can also be propagated from seed, though montbretia seed, which does not come true, is used in the main for the production of new varieties.

Climate

All of the following species are suited to zone 7.