Alphabetical Plant Listing

Best Crocosmia Varieties for Your Garden

Crocosmia, Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars,


Extremely showy and exotic-looking, Crocosmia produce decorative clumps of erect sword-shaped leaves and brilliant wands of fiery scarlet, red, orange, and yellow tubular flowers which bloom for 5-8 weeks from mid summer through mid fall. Magnets for hummingbirds and butterflies, the vibrant blossoms give way to seedpods that persist into fall and attract hungry birds.

Almost fully hardy, Crocosmias are cormous perennials which are reliable and happily multiply and come back year after year. Easy to grow, they thrive in sunny locations in well-drained, average to rich soil where they form a tight clump and produce a profusion of colorful blooms. They make lovely, lasting cut flowers and are rarely troubled by pests or diseases. Even deer don't find them particularly appetizing.

Reflecting intense breeding efforts, there is today a rich array of Crocomia hybrids and cultivars to choose from. They vary in flowering times, flower color and size. And like in many other things, some are much better than the others.

Here are some of the best varieties to grow in your garden. They will help you add gorgeous color and excitement to your summer border. They combine well with a wide choice of companion plants. If you need inspiration to create a terrific border with Crocosmias, you may want to browse these planting combinations created by talented gardeners.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 10
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Crocosmia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
Compare All Crocosmia Great Plant Combination Ideas with Crocosmia Guides with Crocosmia

Crocosmia "Lucifer" in the garden at Overbeck's, Salcombe, Devon, ©NTPL/Andrew Butler (Nationaltrust.org)

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.

Guide Information

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 10
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Bulbs
Plant Family Crocosmia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid,Late)
Fall
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit, Salt
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Landscaping Ideas Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
Compare All Crocosmia Great Plant Combination Ideas with Crocosmia Guides with Crocosmia

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