When one thinks about the work of the NCCPG, they think about 'Plant Collections' and 'Plant
Heritage' and both in terms of cultivation and conservation. However, having a national plant
collection isn't necessarily just about collecting and cultivating plants are presently available in
commerce, it's also about learning about, educating and promoting specific issues that effect or have effected the culture of a specific genus or genera. This with a view to expanding peoples knowledge and perception, and highlight areas of research to enable a greater participation in the conservation and culture of a genus or genera.

Nearly 40 percent of all the Crocosmia that have been bred since the breeding of Crocosmia x
crocosmiiflora, the Common Montbretia by Victor Lemoine of Nancy, France in 1879, have been bred in Norwich or Norfolk, and of these probably over 80 percent are either lost to or lost in cultivation.
To compound this problem, the largest proportion of these are The Earlham Giant Montbretia, and they represent the best and largest flowered Crocosmia that have ever been produced.

Crocosmia were first bred in the UK as early as 1895 by George Davison, head gardener at
Westwick Hall, Norfolk. Subsequent hybrids produced include Crocosmia 'Prometheus', 'Lady
Hamilton' and 'Star of the East' which remain in cultivation today. Davison's hybrids were passed on and further developed by Sydney Morris, and his head gardeners George Henley and Jack Fitt, at Earlham Hall, Norwich, from 1909 - 1939. Indeed, some of these large flowered Crocosmia such as 'His Majesty', 'Nimbus', 'Hades' and 'Sir Mathew Wilson' still exist but represent a very small
number of the total amount bred, many bearing flowers up to four inches in diameter.

Sadly there are numerous reasons why so many of these plants are missing to cultivation, and they include:

Hardiness
The Dig for Victory Campaign during WWII
Pre-WWII Distribution and Post-war decline in horticulture

But changes in garden ownership, the loss of knowledge due to the death of gardeners and garden owners, loss of labels, disease and fashion trends have also played a part in their demise. However, we must remain optimistic of their existence, and it is hoped that by promoting, and in 'marketing' their plight within specific areas and communities, that more will be discovered, and why the creation of local partnerships are so important. For if successful, commercial partners can be found to
commercial propagate and distribute material and increase its availability once more. Fortunately the breeding of Crocosmia 'Lucifer' by Alan Bloom in 1966, and again in Norfolk, has rekindled interest in this genus, and the genus has remained popular ever since. It is hoped that this popularity, the
versatility, and garden worthiness of the genus will aid research and recovery, and allow us to reach those who may be in possession of these plants.

Some seven years ago The Horticultural Officer of Norwich City Council, Mr. Terry Bain, was
contacted and informed of our interest in finding the older Norfolk hybrids. Many years have passed since, but during this time Norwich City Council have been using Crocosmia in their planting schemes around the city, planting many thousand of bulbs. All being done to draw public attention to the
genus, in preparation for describing the role, the city and county once played in developing this
genus. The city has since very much adopted Crocosmia as the city flower.

On  Saturday 20th July 2002, a Crocosmia Day was held by the 'Norwich in Bloom' organisation at the Assembly Halls in Norwich. The day was a great success in many respects not only because of its importance to the city's floral heritage but because the people and city of Norwich made it happen. Having spent many hours researching and trying to locate these old hybrids alone, we were so pleased that we were now able to work with local people in pursuit of the same goal. To find older
hybrids, visit places where the plants were once bred, places such as Earlham Hall, take photographs and meet relatives of those who were directly responsible for their breeding.

On the day, all of us were surprised when Peter and David Fitt entered the room with their wives and family. Their father Jack was Head Gardener for Sydney Morris and Venetia Montagu, (cousin of Clementine Churchill), and bred Earlham Giant Montbretia at Earlham and Breccles Hall from 1916 - 1939. We were absolutely delighted when Peter announced that he was going to donate all his
fathers notes, records, magazine articles, RHS Certificates of Merit and medals, relating to the
Earlham Montbretia to Norwich City Council for display at the Assembly House. Peter's help in the past has been invaluable to Crocosmia research as before contact was made, very little was known about Norwich's hybrid Montbretia. Sadly, just after Peter Fitt had left another person arrived, on
talking to him about the Crocosmia he had brought to identify we found that he was the great great grandson of George Henley, head gardener for Sydney Morris and Earlham Hall until 1916. It would have so nice to have introduced both families.

Given the publicity the event has attracted many leads are currently being investigated by Norwich in Bloom. The present owners of Ingworth, George Davison's family home contacted Norwich in Bloom and invited officials to look at the Crocosmia that were in bloom with a view to their identification. Digital photos were sent to us to identify but sadly none of his older and important hybrids were found. However the identified plants will be used in the formation of a Crocosmia trail around the city in forthcoming years. Indeed, and with our help, a Crocosmia garden is to be created in the Assembly Hall, Norwich, in 2003, and feature the history of the genus.

This partnership is still in its infancy but it is hoped that through local publicity, many more of the older Crocosmia hybrids will be found, extending the range of plants that can be propagated and grown commercially for a purpose, for their merit, and future conservation. The loss of these plants is just one example of the tremendous loss of our heritage and of history that has occurred because of two world wars. Future partnerships between local groups and communities are essential if we are to find surviving material of potential provenance. The NCCPG, and its collection holders being best placed to fulfil this role, through their work, and as a catalyst for the promotion of conservation through public involvement.

David Fenwick

Photos of the Event

The Fitt Family with David Fenwick     Earlham Hall 2002     Crocosmia Identification

Ingworth - George Davison's Home 1906 - 1920     Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora at Ingworth

Crocosmia paniculata at Ingworth

Photography by Terry Bane of Norwich in Bloom