Compact and free-flowering, Crocosmia 'Bright Eyes' features clumps of erect, bright green, sword-shaped leaves and brilliant sprays of large, upright or front facing, bright-orange flowers with a contrasting scarlet-red eye. In mid through late summer, each stem bears about 8-12 buds which provide a stunning floral display. They attract hummingbirds like no other. 'Bright Eyes' is sterile and will flower prolifically without throwing inferior self sown seedlings.

Free-flowering, Crocosmia 'Emberglow' features clumps of erect, bright green, sword-shaped leaves and vibrant sprays of star-like, upward-facing flowers of deep scarlet, 3 in. long (8 cm), that open wider than some of the more traditional varieties, revealing their golden throats, from midsummer through early fall.

Valued for its compact habit, Crocosmia 'John Boots' features elegant clumps of erect sword-shaped leaves and eye-catching, arching sprays of butter-yellow freesia-like flowers from midsummer to early fall. Great perennial for the late season garden as it provides weeks of vibrant colors when many other perennials are starting to fade.

Very distinctive and vigorous, Crocosmia 'Limpopo' features clumps of erect, bright green, sword-shaped leaves and striking sprays of large, wide-open, coral flowers, 3 in. across (6cm), with a contrasting sunny-yellow throat. Borne on dark bronze stems, they bloom from mid through late summer and provide a glowing floral display.

Probably the most widely grown cultivar of Crocosmia, award-winning Crocosmia 'Lucifer' produces decorative clumps of erect pleated leaves and brilliant wands of fiery scarlet red tubular flowers which bloom for 5-8 weeks from mid to late summer. Extremely showy, this South African native is a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies. Its vibrant blossoms give way to seedpods that persist into fall and attract hungry birds.

Robust, Crocosmia masoniorum is a very attractive and elegant species with brilliant, upward-facing, flaming orange blossoms sitting atop arching stems and blooming from midsummer to early fall. The buds open slowly from the base to the tip of clusters, and the old flowers drop 'cleanly' from the stems. Coupled with its clumps of erect sword-shaped leaves, this ensemble makes a stunning show in the garden!

Elegant, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Babylon' features clumps of erect, bright green, sword-shaped leaves and delicate sprays of star-like, downward-facing flowers of rich red-orange that open wider than some of the more traditional varieties, revealing their scarlet throats, from midsummer through early fall.

A charming, compact Montbretia, Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Buttercup' features attractive sprays of wide open, golden-yellow flowers, 1.5 in. wide (3-4 cm). Free flowering, they bloom from midsummer through early fall and rise with majesty above handsome clumps of erect, mid-green, sword-shaped leaves. They attract hummingbirds like no other.

Opening from bright red flower buds, award-winning Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Carmin Brilliant' features attractive sprays of 20 or more stunning, carmine-pink flowers adorned with golden yellow throats. The reverse of their petals is flushed with rich scarlet-orange and this ensemble contrasts beautifully with the crimson-purple calyxes and bronzy-purple stems. Blooming from midsummer through early fall, the brilliant flowers rise above handsome clumps of erect, medium green, sword-shaped leaves.

Opening from gold and purple flower buds, Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Columbus' features attractive sprays of orange-yellow flowers adorned with tiny mahogany marks in their throats and which contrast beautifully with their purple sepals. Blooming from midsummer through early fall, the vibrantly colored flowers rise above handsome clumps of erect, medium green, sword-shaped leaves. They attract hummingbirds like no other.

Glowing in the late summer garden, Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' features clumps of erect, mid-green, sword-shaped leaves and gracefully arching sprays of star-like, bright orange flowers adorned with crimson throats. Blooming profusely from midsummer through early fall, this showy South African native grows up to 24-30 in. tall (60-70 cm) with a spread of 12-18 in. (30-45 cm).

Perfect for hot color schemes, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'George Davison' features attractive clumps of erect sword-shaped leaves and spectacular sprays of orange buds which burst open into bright, golden yellow flowers from mid to late summer. Great perennial for the late season garden.

A prolific and compact Montbretia, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Honey Angels' features attractive sprays of small, trumpet-shaped yellow flowers with charming honey tones and creamy throats. They bloom from late summer through early fall and rise with majesty above handsome clumps of erect, narrow, green, sword-shaped leaves. They attract hummingbirds like no other.

Opening from tangerine flower buds, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Meteore' features elegant sprays of large golden-orange flowers with crimson throats and broad rounded petals that are burnt orange on their reverse. Blooming profusely from midsummer through early fall, they rise above clumps of erect, dark gray-green, sword-shaped leaves. Bred in 1887 by French hybridizer Victor Lemoine.

Popular for over 100 years, award-winning Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Solfatare' features attractive sprays of soft apricot-yellow flowers floating atop a nicely contrasting foliage of erect, sword-shaped, bronze-green leaves. Blooming from late summer through early fall, this Crocosmia cultivar is more tender than some, therefore, it needs a good mulch in winter.

Introduced in 1912, award-winning Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Star of the East' is still regarded as one of the best Montbretias. A strong performer without being aggressive, it produces decorative clumps of vertical pleated leaves which remain fresh and upright well into fall. They are topped by wands of very large, 4 in. wide (10 cm), soft orange blossoms which gradually open, from the bottom of the wand to the top, over 5-8 weeks, from mid to late summer. Emerging from deep orange flower buds, the flowers open widely to reveal their creamy throat adorned with burgundy freckles.

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.

The flamboyant colors of Crocosmia add vivid visual interest to the sunny border and they are terrific elements in hot-colored schemes.