Crocosmia

Crocosmias or Montbretias are bulbous plants similar to very floriferous small gladioli in bright colors used in summer beds or as cut flowers. These plants develop clumps of plicate, bright green sword-shaped leaves and slender flowering stems with 3 to 5 slightly arched spikes of funnel-shaped flowers in red, orange, or yellow. Easy to grow, Crocosmias can tolerate temperatures down to -10 °C (14 F). Plant them at a depth of between 10 cm (4in) and 15 cm (6in). Be sure to plant them in a light, moist, and well-drained soil by adding compost at planting. They appreciate a very sunny and warm climate but do not tolerate summer drought. Therefore, make sure to water them well in order to not sabotage their flowering from July to October. Among the 7 species, the most well-known is Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora with the variety "Lucifer", which is 1m tall, and fiery red but also the most sensitive to cold, not being able to withstand tempratures below -7 °C (19.4 F).