Crocosmia

( kroh - KOZ - mee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Native to tropical and southern Africa, this genus of flowering perennials grow from corms and are related to Freesia, Ixia, and Sparaxis. These tropical beauties, commonly called Montbretia or Coppertips, need some shade in the hottest climates, and require regular waterings during their growth and blooming periods. The bright orange, red and yellow summer-blooming flowers attract birds and appear on branched stems. Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as ingestion of plant parts is mildly toxic to humans and pets.

Crocosmia Species and Varietals

The genus Crocosmia includes 8 species (and a few notable hybrids) and is a member of the plant family Iridaceae. The name of the genus is derived from the Greek words 'krokos' (meaning saffron) and 'osme' (meaning odor), referring to the saffron-like smell of the dried leaves when they are immersed in hot water. The best growing zones for Crocosmia vary depending on the species. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Crocosmia aurea (Falling Stars, Valentine Flower, Montbretia, Coppertips)
This species reaches just under 50 inches tall at maturity, and produces bright orange to reddish flowers in branched inflorescences. This species is native to South Africa. They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 4-10. The species is considered invasive in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and California and North Carolina in the United States.

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora (Tritonia crocosmiiflora) (Montbretia, Crocosmia, Coppertip, Falling Stars, Garden Montbretia)
These grow best in USDA hardiness zones 5-24, H1 and H2. The plants produce deep orange flowers on 3-4 foot tall stems. Varieties of the species come with flowers in yellow, orange, cream and scarlet. If left to its devices, it will establish itself and form colonies. This hybrid is a cross between species Crocosmia aurea and Crocosmia pottsii. Cultivars include 'Carmin Brilliant' and 'Star of the East'. These plants are invasive in temperate a subtropical regions around the globe, including Ireland, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and the west coast of the United States.

Crocosmia spp. Hybrids (Hybrid Crocosmia, Hybrid Montbretia)
These cultivars reach between 2 and 4 feet tall when mature and in bloom, and grow in USDA hardiness zones 5-9 or Sunset growing zones 4-24. Hybrid Crocosmia is invasive in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and the west coast of the United States. Varieties are listed and described below:

'Citronella'
Light yellow flowers with a dark eye.

'Babylon'
This variety has orange flowers with scarlet throats.

'Emberglow'
With scarlet blooms.

'Emily McKenzie'
Orange blooms with a red eye.

'Hellfire'
To 35 inches tall and about half as wide with bright scarlet flowers.

'Lucifer'
Grows to 4 feet tall; red flowers.

'Jenny Bloom'
This variety has golden yellow flowers.

'Paul's Best Yellow'
With profuse yellow blossoms.

'Severn Sunrise'
With deep, bright coral blooms.

'Solfatare'
Foliage is bronze, and flowers are yellow.

'Voyager'
Bright yellow blooms.

'Walberton Yellow'

Crocosmia masoniorum (Giant Montbretia, Mason's Montbretia, Falling Stars)
This grows in USDA hardiness USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 5-24 and has bright orange to orange-red flowers on one side of the stem. Flowers will last about 2 weeks in cut flower arrangements. These plants are native to the eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa, and are wonderful garden ornamentals. This species is considered invasive in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and the west coast of the United States.

Crocosmia paniculata (Aunt Eliza)
These natives of South Africa, Eswatini, and Lesotho reach between 4 and 5 feet tall when in bloom, and produce lanceolate green leaves and deep orange to orange-brown flowers. They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 6-9. These are popular garden ornamentals, but have the tendency to escape gardens and grow as wild weeds. This species is considered invasive in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and the west coast and southeastern United States.

Crocosmia pottsii (Pott's Montbretia)
This species of flowering plants is native to South Africa and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-10. These plants produce strappy, thin, green foliage and tall flower stems that hold inflorescences of orange to bright orange-red tubular flowers. This species is considered invasive in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

Caring for Crocosmia

Take care when planting these flowers in the landscape, as ingestion of plant parts is mildly toxic to humans and pets. Spring and fall are the best time to plant these flowers in the garden. Soil should be amended with generous amounts of organic material and compost before plants are installed. Set out corms 3 inches apart, and 2 inches deep, with the tops of the 'necks' just under the soil surface. Make sure to plant these flowers in a space that will not be disturbed; these lilies do not like to be moved once established, and transplanting can delay blooming a year or two. A spot in the garden that receives between 6 and 8 hours of direct sun each day is ideal for these flowers, though they can tolerate partial shade as well. In warmer climates, they appreciate some late afternoon shade when temperatures are at their height. These plants prefer a soil that has a pH of between 5.0 and 8.0. After planting, mulch around the base with organic mulching material to help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from the plant stems, as this can encourage an environment for root rot issues to take hold.

Water new plants regularly as they establish a strong root system. At maturity, they are relatively drought-tolerant. For the best blooms, however, make sure these plants are getting irrigated at least once a week, or simply irrigate when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Fertilize the planting area yearly with an application of about two inches of compost. Pull back mulch, apply compost, work the compost into the soil, and then water it in. Replace mulch afterwards and add more if necessary. This feeding is enough to carry these plants through their growing and flowering seasons, and they will not need any additional fertilizers. Deadhead plants when flower spikes are spent to neaten their appearance. If collecting seed for sowing in upcoming years, make sure to earmark some plants that will not be deadheaded so they can be harvested for seed. Crocosmia plants need to be divided every few years; the best time to do this is in early springtime after a year when flower quality and vigor declined. For instructions on dividing Crocosmia flowers, see the Propagation section below. They will need to be mulched over in wintertime where winter lows range from 10 degrees to -5 degrees Fahrenheit. In areas colder than that, dig up corms and store inside over the winter months in bags of sawdust. Crocosmia plants are considered to be long-lived perennials, able to persist for between 5 and 20 years before needing to be replaced. They do form clumps and spread freely via re-seeding, providing plants indefinitely.

Propagation

Crocosmia, or Coppertips, are best propagated via division, but they can also be propagated from harvesting and sowing seeds. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that the resulting plant may not necessarily be the same as the parent plant the seeds are harvested from, especially if you have a hybrid variety. To propagate your flowers, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Crocosmia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed pods remain on flowering stems after blooms have faded, and will turn brown, dry, and open when they are ready to release seeds. This is the perfect time to harvest them. Cut the entire flowering branch off of the plant down to the base, and then remove seeds from their pods. If you will not be using them immediately, make sure to store them in a container in a cool, dark, dry place.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination is usually pretty quick for these plants, occurring within a few weeks to months after sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until seedlings reach a few inches tall. Young seedlings are best stored in a shaded area of a greenhouse; direct sun can scorch the developing leaves.

Propagating Crocosmia by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut back). To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the bulbs. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Identify any bulbils (smaller bulbs) on the sides of the larger main bulbs. These can be removed from the plant and re-sown elsewhere. Make sure to use sterilized, sharp tools for cutting to avoid damaging the bulbs or spreading disease.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your bulbs and water them in thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout.

Seed pods of Crocosmia plants remain on flowering stems after blooms have faded. They will turn brown and begin to open when they are mature.

Crocosmia seeds are typically small and reddish-brown.

Problems and Pests

Most species of Crocosmia are considered weedy and invasive, spreading to form clumps as well as freely re-seeding and commonly escaping the garden; see species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Crocosmia plants are considered pest- and disease-free for the most part, though they can suffer from the following issues from time to time: