Crocosmia Lucifer - Montbretia

The Crocosmia 'Lucifer', also known as montbretia, gets its name from the intensity of its red flowers, which appear numerous on tall and flexible flower stalks, reaching almost a meter in height, gathered in horizontal spikes. This variety is the most well-known of all, as this true star of summer flower beds forms robust clumps and blooms for a long time in light and fresh soil. Easy to grow, it is perfect in mild climates, and it should be cultivated in light, well-drained soil.

The Crocosmia 'Lucifer' is an excellent English horticultural creation born in 1966, from the crossbreeding of Crocosmia masoniorum, a superb wild species native to mountainous areas of South Africa, and C. paniculata, a plant from flooded areas characterised by its large size. Its ease of cultivation and extraordinary flowering remain a reference and make this variety the most planted in gardens. It is a herbaceous bulbous plant that slowly forms clumps up to 1m (3ft) tall when flowering, and at least 20 cm (8in) wide. Its leaves, deciduous, thick, and rigid, have a lance shape and are longitudinally crumpled. They measure approximately 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) wide. The flower stalk emerges in early July, bending under the weight of the flowers curiously arranged in "fishbone" pattern in 2 lines and upright towards the sky, so that the dense flower heads forms a beautiful and brightly coloured arch. The flowers, of an striking red, are funnel-shaped with 6 spread-out tepals. They can measure up to 4 cm (2in) long and 3 cm (1in) wide. This flowering often lasts until September.

Crocosmia plants are native to South Africa, always superb, but not always very hardy. Their vibrant colours, yellow, orange, or red, form very cheerful spots of colour in gardens. They are splendid when combined with annuals or bushes, and they go well in natural gardens mixed with perennials like Coreopsis 'Zagreb' (intense yellow), silver foliage, or grasses. When they thrive in open ground in sunny exposure and well-drained soil, they multiply over the years and become more beautiful each year. They are also excellent plants for your flower bouquets.