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Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Star of the East’ (Montbretia)

Montbretia 'Star of the East', Coppertips 'Star of the East', Falling Stars 'Star of the East'

AGM Award
Crocosmia × Crocosmiiflora 'Star of the East', Montbretia 'Star of the East', Coppertips 'Star of the East', Falling Stars 'Star of the East', AGM crocosmia
Crocosmia × Crocosmiiflora 'Star of the East', Montbretia 'Star of the East', Coppertips 'Star of the East', Falling Stars 'Star of the East', AGM crocosmia

Introduced in 1912, award-winning Crocosmia × 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. 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.

  • Won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Great perennial for the late season garden as it provides weeks of vibrant colors when many other perennials are starting to fade.
  • Resembling the foliage of sword-lilies, Crocosmia’s narrow, bladed leaves also provide interesting vertical accents in the borders.
  • Grows up to 40-48 in. tall and wide (100-120 cm).
  • Excellent border plant providing color and contrast to the perennial border. It looks spectacular in front of green conifers, among dark leaved dahlias and cannas or next to blue-flowering plants such as Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile), Aconitum (Monkshood) or Echinops (Globe Thistle). Should be planted in clumps of 12 or more.
  • May be grown in containers – make sure you select a large pot with drainage holes.
  • Makes wonderful cut flowers and will last up to 2 weeks in a vase.
  • Easily grown in moderately fertile, humus-rich soil that is moist but well-drained. Thrives in full sun or partial shade where it will multiply rapidly and readily.
  • Tolerant of summer heat and humidity, it is also drought tolerant (once established), salt tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant.

Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Beautiful Crocosmia


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. Easy to grow, they stand proud and bold provided some basic rules are respected.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 4 - 9
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 Iridaceae
Genus Crocosmia
Common names Falling Stars, Crocosmia, Montbretia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 6" - 8"
(15cm - 20cm)
Depth 3" (8cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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 Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Solfatare’
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Honey Angels’
Crocosmia ‘Limpopo’
Crocosmia ‘Bright Eyes’
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Meteore’
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora ‘Emily Mckenzie’

Recommended Companion Plants

Kniphofia ‘Percy’s Pride’ (Red Hot Poker)
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’ (Mountain Fleece)
Canna indica ‘Purpurea’ (Canna Lily)
Dahlia ‘David Howard’

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Brilliant Summer Border Idea with Crocosmia, Dahlia and Canna Lilies
26 Terrific Summer Bulbs to Grow in your Garden or Pots
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Crocosmia (Montbretia)
Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Beautiful Crocosmia
Best Crocosmia Varieties for Your Garden
Great Companion Plants for Your Crocosmia
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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 4 - 9
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 Iridaceae
Genus Crocosmia
Common names Falling Stars, Crocosmia, Montbretia
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Mid, Late)
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 6" - 8"
(15cm - 20cm)
Depth 3" (8cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
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 Drought, Deer, Salt, Rabbit
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Banks And Slopes, Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Crocosmia
Guides with
Crocosmia
Not sure which Crocosmia to pick?
Compare Now

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