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This is a rough guide provided by David Fenwick, previous holder of the NCCPG
National Collection Crocosmia. Rough, in the respect I can only provide general
advice about the growing of them. For more specific advise I can be consulted
personally and will be glad to answer any personal questions.
Where do Crocosmia come from and how does it effect their culture ?
Briefly, Crocosmia are a genus of Southern African bulbous plants which spread by producing what are called corms. All of the species grown in the UK come from 'summer rainfall areas' of South and Southern Africa, and the varieties offered by nurseries and garden centres have been bred from these, and it is where they come from that makes them suitable for growing outdoors as late summer and autumn
flowering perennials in the UK. Most Crocosmia are quite drought tolerant but all benefit from being given plenty of water during their growing season.
There are chiefly four species that have been used in the horticultural development of this genus. These include Crocosmia aurea, Crocosmia pottsii, Crocosmia masoniorum and Crocosmia paniculata, the first two have smooth leaves and the latter two species can be easily recognised by their pleated leaves, and there have been many crosses between them. The main cross that many will know is between
Crocosmia pottsii and Crocosmia aurea, as it was this cross that produced the
Common Montbretia.
Crocosmia aurea, which can be quite a large flowered species is chiefly a woodland plant and comes from more temperate and tropical areas, thus it is less hardy and in nature is given protection by the trees it grows under, the trees also providing shade and a more organic soil. Montbretia that have larger flowers than normal have more Crocosmia aurea blood in them and thus with a few exceptions they need to be treated differently that those with smaller flowers as they can be more tender and need different requirements. Indeed, some of the larger flowered Crocosmia definitely benefit from being given a little shade, Emily McKenzie especially.
Crocosmia pottsii is found in the open along streamsides in its natural habitat, and thus prefers moister conditions in full sun. However, that said, it is very tolerant of a range of conditions. The true species is grown in the UK but there are many hybrid forms of it, and these are so vigorous that it is very difficult to get rid of them once you plant them, so really this small flowered species should only be grown if you have room for it, or you have a difficult spot in which to plant, as this plant is very much a survivor. There are a few good garden worthy forms of pottsii e.g. 'Culzean Pink'.
Both the species mentioned above are also supplied with ample nutrients in nature,
C. aurea from the decomposition of vegetation in its habitat, and C. pottsii from the
nutrients supplied by streams and rivers it grows by.
The other two species, Crocosmia masoniorum and Crocosmia paniculata can be dealt with together as they originate from more mountainous areas of South Africa, and because of this they are more frost hardy than the other two species. Hybrids from these now represent quite a proportion of what is being offered commercially, and I fully recommend their culture in colder parts. The most common of these offered is Crocosmia 'Lucifer' but there are many other good varieties, of ranging height and flower colour. Anything seen that is really tall, such as 'Lucifer' or 'Zeal Giant' is sure to have Crocosmia paniculata in its blood. Crocosmia paniculata was once known as Curtonus, and Antholyza, which gave it its common name 'Aunt Liza'.
So we can conclude from this that smooth leaved Crocosmia (Montbretia) require warmer, more organic, moister, nutrient rich soils; and that those with pleated leaves Crocosmia masoniorum and Crocosmia paniculata hybrids are less fussy and more tolerant of various conditions and locations. This is however, a generalisation.
Chosing Plants and Corms
It is recommended that you choose your Crocosmia carefully and choose them for the specific position that you require them for. Many Garden Centre advisors and
nurserymen will be able to help you and advise you on the best varieties they sell for specific situations, but remember the pleated leaved species tend to be hardier.
The best time to choose plants is when they are in flower at nurseries or Garden
Centres, from early July to early October.
The purchase of dried packeted Crocosmia corms from Garden Centres and DIY chains should be avoided. Corms may not be true to type or as described, and they may be dessicated by being stored for too long. Crocosmia corms do not like being dried as they prefer to be kept damp.
Fortunately there are many UK nurserymen that grow there own stocks and many take the time to identify what they have and then offer them for sale. If purchasing corms by mail order during the winter and early spring it is best done before the hard frosts of January and February. Personally I purchase corms early in the season, in November, I pot these up and put them into a frost free well ventilated greenhouse until I plant them in the early spring.
Containerised plants can be purchased by mail order during most of the year, however this can be a very expensive way of obtaining plants and primarily because of the high cost of delivery.
The best source of information relating to the sale and purchase of Crocosmia is
without a doubt the Royal Horticultural Society's Plant Finder. However, there is still no guarantee that what is being offered is true to type. The only thing you can do is your own research to find out if what is being sold is true to type. Fortunately many
nurseries now have websites, and many of them provide pictures of their plants
growing in situ. e.g. Trecanna Nursery
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