Genus: Crocosmia

Originating in South Africa, this genus of about 7 different species will quickly fill a space and put on a great show – with names such as ‘Lucifer’, ‘Emberglow’, ‘Spitfire’ and ‘Fire King’ you can just feel the colour!

The popular hybrid crocosmia x crocosmiiflora produces fantastic heads of flowers amongst spear-shaped foliage but it is a bit of a thug and seen as invasive in parts of Australia and California.

This plant, commonly known as Montbretia, attracts bees and hoverflies.

Members growing plants in this genus

  • spritzhenry

    Spritzhenry

    joined 17 Jun, 2007

    367 plants

  • joey

    Joey

    joined 28 Feb, 2007

    30 plants

  • majeekahead

    Majeekahead

    joined 18 Oct, 2007

    351 plants

  • caitio

    Caitio

    joined 25 Nov, 2007

    12 plants

  • holly

    Holly

    joined 10 May, 2007

    45 plants

  • AndreaRichter

    Andrearichter

    joined 15 Nov, 2007

    71 plants

  • RachelScott_Renouf

    Rachelscott..

    joined 3 Feb, 2008

    33 plants

  • treesandthings

    Treesandthi..

    joined 16 Feb, 2008

    154 plants

  • Buzzbee

    Buzzbee

    joined 23 Dec, 2007

    161 plants

  • Xela

    Xela

    joined 1 Mar, 2008

    174 plants

  • Sarah65

    Sarah65

    joined 15 Apr, 2008

    135 plants

  • Caroline32

    Caroline32

    joined 27 Apr, 2008

    25 plants

  • popeymike

    Popeymike

    joined 19 Jul, 2007

    25 plants

Species of Crocosmia

Crocosmia photos

  • Plant Portraits - Summer flowers in my garden (crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Lucifer')
    By dioon11
  • Crocosmia flower (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)
    By spritzhe..
  • Crocosmia  (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)
    By spritzhe..
  • Lucifer's Tongue! (crocosmia 'lucifer')
    By caitio
  • Crocosmia 'Lucifer' (crocosmia 'lucifer')
    By caitio
  • Crocosmia Rowallane (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora (Montbretia))
    By holly
  • first real winter morning (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora (Montbretia))
    By majeekah..
  • DSC00066.jpg (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora (Montbretia))
    By majeekah..
  • DSC00064_edited.jpg (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora (Montbretia))
    By majeekah..
  • Southport Flower Show 2007 - Crocosmia (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)
    By RobertR
  • Crocosmia 'Lucifer' - August 2007 (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)
    By RobertR
  • Crocosmia (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)
    By spritzhe..
  • Crocosmia 'Lucifer' (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)
    By joey

more...

Comments:

Lori

Lori

11 Apr, 2008

 

Very familiar... mine have naturalized in my front garden...plant Acidanthera every year near the crocosmia and the corms are similar...had crocosmia blooming with the Acidanthera in the back garden the next summer...must have dug some of the wrong corms the fall before!!! Portable punctuation for the garden...great idea.

jackie46

Jackie46

10 Apr, 2008

 

I have one of these in my garden.

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

23 Mar, 2008

 

I am really hoping that 'Lucifer' grows from the new corms I planted a few weeks ago. If not, one of my friends in the village has it and has promised me some. OR failing those options, I could buy a potful from the Garden Centre at great expense! lol. See how determined I am!

Lori

Lori

23 Mar, 2008

 

Hi lost you for a bit... I have the red crocosmia 'Lucifer', it is stellar in a clump...gorgeous stuff...
about the Dephiniums, in my pictures it's on the third page...it is a pic of the clump I rescued when it had been planted about a month(it was blooming)...for scale the link fence behind it is eight feet tall... it suffered no transplant shock and bloomed beautifully...moved it to a more sheltered spot that fall and the next summer it topped the 8 foot fence!!

Sid

Sid

21 Mar, 2008

 

Hi Spritz - I must admit, I didn't know the species name, but I've looked it up. It seems that most garden varieties are officially referred to by the genus (Crocosmia) and the variety alone, i.e. no species name used. However, it does give Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora (C. aurea x C. pottsii) known by the common name of Montbretia and the description sounds just like 'the ordinary one'. I suspect a lot of illicit plant breeding has gone on with this plant, leaving the genetics all mixed up, which is the only reason I can think of why no species name is used...?

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

21 Mar, 2008

 

Hi Dio - no, I just dig some up and move them with NO problems at all! They are only growing from corms, so the best time is when they are dormant but I have split a clump while they were in strong growth.

DiOhio

Diohio

21 Mar, 2008

 

I've read that they really hate being moved.

DiOhio

Diohio

21 Mar, 2008

 

I absolutely LOVE this flower !! The hummers love them too. I bought 3 different color a few years ago and the chipmunks or squirrels dug them up and ate every one ! So now I just have the origional red-orange one (Fire of Eden) that I got about 10 years ago and a yellow one (George Davidson).
I missed something about it being the "Hated Plant".......gonna go find that now.

flcrazy

Flcrazy

20 Mar, 2008

 

Great photo, very intense color.! I'm a sucker for bright colored flowers.

spritzhenry

Spritzhenry

20 Mar, 2008

 

Sid - do you know its name? I just call it 'the ordinary one' but it must have a proper name?

MikeC

Mikec

20 Mar, 2008

 

Wonderful color !

Harli

Harli

20 Mar, 2008

 

Hi Spritzhenry ~ Sorry I left abruptly, but friends stopped by unexpectedly.
Oh my gosh, that is an incredible flower. If mine looks like that, I will definately keep it. I do hope mine are red as well.

Chrispook

Chrispook

20 Mar, 2008

 

Well Harli, everyone is trying to convince you that this is a great plant. Hope yours turns out well!

Sid

Sid

20 Mar, 2008

 

I have this one and I also have a beautiful yellow one called 'Honey Angels' which is worth having for the name alone!!

Chrispook

Chrispook

20 Mar, 2008

 

Lovely crocosmia. I planted some last year and they didn't do very well. I think it was the heat. I think I can see them coming through now, and if so they look as if they have increased considerably, so I have hopes for this year.

Sid

Sid

20 Mar, 2008

 

I hope this turnes the 'Hated Plant' in to the 'Loved Plant'!!!

jacque

Jacque

20 Mar, 2008

 

Lovely :D

jacque

Jacque

20 Mar, 2008

 

Hey Majeekaheads given me some of these WOW how super :)

Lori

Lori

4 Mar, 2008

 

lucky you! this is beautiful and I'm taking note. I have Lucifer..it is the most amazing blazing red...just love it!!! I keep saying it but...I would love to garden in your climate. lol.

peter

Peter

26 Nov, 2007

 

Fantastic photo!

maple

Maple

25 Nov, 2007

 

Got to get some Crocosmia!! They always look so wonderful

ajay

Ajay

25 Nov, 2007

 

Love the red!

holly

Holly

20 Nov, 2007

 

Hello majeeekahead,
This one is called Rowallane. I got it from one of the shows not sure which, maybe Tatton Park as it's in July when crocosmias are in bloom. I think the nursery is also called Rowallane and you can find them online. They specialise in crocosmia.

majeekahead

Majeekahead

19 Nov, 2007

 

hi Holly, what a lovely colour - bet it was'nt easy to find!

majeekahead

Majeekahead

15 Nov, 2007

 

hi peter, yes i was - in fact i have been up most of the night with my grissly 2 1/2 year old - she has a snotty nose! so at the first break of daylight i plotted her up with a few toys in front of bob the builder on tv and out i went - it was freezing! look forward to seeing your pics too - i love the look of frost on everything - reminds me that christmas is on way!

peter

Peter

15 Nov, 2007

 

Hi Majeekahead, you must have been up early with the camera :o) It's the same here in Hampshire today and I've just taken a snaps too.

maple

Maple

17 Aug, 2007

 

I love the contrast in colour in this pic! Wonderful

Floriade

Floriade

25 Jul, 2007

 

One of my favourites!