Crocosmia crocosmiiflora

Crocosmias are multi-flowered perennials that come in a range of fiery colours. Easy to grow, they thrive in a range of soil types, in sun or partial shade. Plant with dahlias, salvias and cannas for a sumptuous mid- to late-summer display.

Native to South Africa and produced in France, it is a hybrid of horticultural origin from two Crocosmia species, Crocosmia aurea and Crocosmia pottsii.

Once cultivated as an ornamental, it has since become invasive on the west coast, spreading in disturbed sites as well as wet grasslands, open woodlands, pastures, gardens, wastelands, and along roadsides.  It will compete for space with native plants, and has succeeded in displacing some natives by aggressively competing for water and nutrients.  As it spreads, the abundance of corms in the soil tends to break down the soil allowing erosion along creeks and riverbanks.

The dramatic reddish-orange flowers of Crocosmia are exciting and eye-catching in the garden.  Flowers form in two rows along the branches at the stem top.  Each branch can have 4 to 20 flowers.  The flowers are yellow or reddish-orange with a yellow center.  Its tepals are fused together to form a tubular shape.

The corms should be dug and divided every 2-3 years to maintain vigor.  Its corms can be round or flat and covered with brown fibrous layers.

Propagation can be accomplished by division done just before the new growth begins.  Pruning is not required.  You may want to remove deal stems and leaves in the spring before new growth begins.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  It can be affected by spider mites.  Maintenance is considered high due to its weedy nature.  Care should be taken when disposing of waste materials.