CROCOSMIA
Family IRIDACEAE
Crocosmia crocosmiflora
Perennial
A hybrid of garden origin the result of a cross
between the South African Crocosmia. pottsii and
Crocosmia aurea; often known as Montbretia.
The foliage is sword-like. The flowers are borne
on branching leafy stems to a height of two or
three feet. The species is known mostly by its
many beautiful varieties of garden origin, some
having flowers up to three inches across and varying
in colour from lemon yellow to orange, golden
yellow and shades of scarlet and crimson; the
Earlham strain is one of the most noteworthy.
Crocosmia aurea ‘Lucifer’. Rich orange
blazing bell shaped flowers in fronds
Crocosmia tritonia pottsii reaches up to four
feet with bright yellow flowers, and Tritonia
rosea has attractive small pink flowers spotted
yellow at the base.
May be grown in a well-drained rich soil containing
ample humus, and the addition of well-decayed
farm-yard manure will add to the size of the individual
flowers.
Plant in March and lift in October and store under
frost-proof conditions during autumn and winter.
Propagate in February by detaching the stolons,
potting in a leafy compost and planting in the
open ground in May.
The flowering season is in late summer.
See also : Montbretia
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