Crocosmia
Common name: Montbretia
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Crocosmia originate from South Africa, and the name come from the Latin croceus meaning saffron coloured.
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora is better known as Montbretia.
They are relatively frost hardy however as a safe guard in frost prone areas plant them near a wall.
They require moist, well drained soil in a sunny or semi shaded location.
Ensure they do not dry out in the summer.
Crocosmia grow to a height of 600mm (24"), and 900mm (36") when in flower.
The flowers, make good cut flowers, and appear from mid July till September.
Cultivation:
Week 16:
Prepare soil prior to planting, remove any perennial weeds, and dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost.
Add a good general fertiliser, at the rate recommended by the manufacturer.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers as these tend to encourage too much leafy growth at the expense of flowering stems.
Plant clumps 100-150mm apart and 75 -100mm (3"-4") deep in moderately fertile humus rich moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.
In colder areas plant the corms a little deeper, to protect the corms against frost damage.
Alternatively, plant out in containers, but please note, they may soon become pot-bound and overcrowded.
Clumps may be lifted and divided every three or four years.
Replant sections at the same depth in rich, moisture retentive but well-drained soil.
Week 35:
Remove the flowering stems when the last flowers have died back, and cut the plants down to 50mm (2”) high.
Collect seeds for propagation at the same time.
Sow at once in pots placed in a cool greenhouse or frame.
Seeds should germinate in early spring.
They should flower one or two years later, but not necessarily true to the parent plant.
Week 40:
In cold areas or known frost pockets, lift the corms, removing the soil and leaves when the latter are quite brown.
Store lifted corms in peat or old (disease free) compost in a frost free place, to prevent them shrivelling up and dying.
Alternative 1: Leave leaves on till spring to protect the corms.
Alternative 2: Cut them down to ground level, and apply a mulch of well rotted manure or compost.