Crocosmia Time

What beauties, these add so much colour to your garden when many flowers are fading, everyone should have some! More often known here in the UK as montbretia, and falling stars or coppertips in the US.

They come from South Africa but are grown worldwide. Some species have become rather invasive, as C. x crocosmiiflora has here. You can see them in large clumps along roadsides and hedgerows, particularly here in Devon and in Cornwall. I have this one in my garden - one of very few plants growing here when I moved in. One day I will get around to thinning the clumps out.

They grow from corms and establish quickly, but can be easliy kept in check. They are not very fussy as to aspect though if too dry or shady the flowering will be reduced. A sunny spot in a well drained yet fertile soil is best.

Lots of different cultivars to choose from. Here are a few I have at the moment.

Sorry, name not known! Taken from a clients garden (with their permission!)

C. Solfatare

C. Ember Glow

C. Emily McKenzie

You can buy them as corms or pot grown plants. Best to plant in Spring, though you could plant pot grown now so you dont have to wait til next Summer, just make sure it does not dry out while getting established. If you have an existing clump thats getting a bit too big, lift and divide in Spring. Use fish, blood and bonemeal when planting to help them get growing.

There are lots to choose from, if you want a more unusual variety to wow your neighbours, go to a specialist grower such as this one.

 http://www.trecanna.com/default.asp

Well, what are you waiting for?? Get choosing :)