Crocosmia Lucifer

Description

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ – montbretia

Botanical name: Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
Common names: Crocosmia, montbretia
Family: Iridaceae
Plant type: Cormous perennial
Habit: Upright, clump-forming, with arching flower sprays
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 1–1.2m tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Upright, sword-shaped, pleated green leaves; deciduous
Flowers: Arching sprays of intense, flame-red funnel flowers in mid summer (July–August), among the earliest to flower
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); one of the hardiest; USDA zones 5–9
Exposure: Sheltered or open
Native range: Garden form; the genus is native to southern Africa
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ is the classic, spectacular montbretia, with tall arching sprays of intense flame-red flowers in summer over bold sword-shaped foliage. Hardy, vigorous and a magnificent border showstopper.

GardenAdvice notes

A superb late-summer perennial, crocosmia (montbretia) is grown for its upright fans of sword-shaped foliage and its arching sprays of vivid, funnel-shaped flowers in fiery shades, which bring bold, hot colour to the border from mid to late summer. Easy and clump-forming, it is a magnificent, dramatic plant for a sunny or lightly shaded border, and its flowers are loved by bees.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade. Give it room to form a bold clump. Space about 30–40cm apart. Water while establishing. In cold gardens, a sheltered spot and a winter mulch over the corms help it through hard winters.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Water in dry spells while in growth for the best flowering. Leave the old foliage over winter to protect the corms, then cut it back in spring; the seed heads are attractive too. Congested clumps flower less well, so lift and divide every few years in spring to keep them vigorous. Mulch in cold gardens.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide congested clumps, separating the corms, in spring — the main way to propagate and keep it flowering well.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free. It can spread to form large clumps, and flowering suffers if congested, so divide periodically. Some vigorous montbretias can be invasive, though named garden sorts like these are well-behaved. Otherwise robust.

Uses in the garden

Superb in sunny and lightly shaded borders, hot-colour and prairie-style plantings, and among grasses, where its sword foliage and fiery arching flower sprays bring bold late-summer drama; excellent for cutting.

Wildlife value

The nectar-rich, tubular flowers are very attractive to bees and other pollinating insects in late summer.

Toxicity & safety

Crocosmia is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Lucifer’ is the most famous crocosmia of all, and deservedly so — tall, robust and hardy, with electrifying flame-red flowers on arching stems above bold sword foliage, flowering earlier than most. It’s a magnificent showstopper for a hot-coloured border, superb with grasses and dark foliage; leave the old leaves on over winter for protection, and divide every few years to keep it vigorous.

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