Photo credits and licenses
Real photographs from naturalists and photographers worldwide, each used under its own license. Credit: Photo by Daniel Patterson / iNaturalist (CC BY), Photo by Vale Jenny Conolly / iNaturalist (CC0) and Photo by Vale Jenny Conolly / iNaturalist (CC0). How photos are sourced →
Crocosmia
Crocosmia
Crocosmia blooms from July through August.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Crocosmia
Plant it in full sun. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 5–9. Expect it to reach about 3 ft tall and 12 in wide at maturity, in roughly 2 years.
When to plant Crocosmia
Crocosmia is tender: plant it out after the last frost, once the soil has warmed. In the middle of its hardy zones 5 to 9 range that means April or May; where spring comes later, it goes out later. Expect flowers from July to August.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 7 in April.
Comes in 5 varieties across 2 colors
Same plant, same care - pick the color you are growing.
Good to know about Crocosmia
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
Crocosmia corms are the only known natural source of montbretin A, a diabetes drug lead: it blocks a starch-digesting gut enzyme and lowered blood sugar in lab rats. per PLoS ONE and Chemical Science
Can naturalize aggressively
NC State calls montbretia a weedy, aggressive escaped weed; Cal-IPC rates its California impact only 'Limited.' Either way, do not plant it near wild areas in mild coastal climates. per NC State and Cal-IPC
Rabbits: sources disagree
NC State's genus page lists Crocosmia as rabbit resistant, but its 'Lucifer' page says rabbits are fond of the foliage. Treat rabbit resistance as unreliable and cultivar dependent. per NC State
Hummingbird magnet
The bright red and orange tubular flowers are a classic hummingbird draw; NC State also lists bees, butterflies and songbirds among visitors. per NC State
Lift corms in cold zones
The corms are semi-hardy, injured below 28 F. In zone 5 and colder, dig them after the foliage yellows and store them dry and cool over winter. per NC State
Divide crowded clumps
Corms multiply fast and crowded clumps lose vigor and bloom. Divide every 2 to 3 years (montbretia) to 3 to 4 years in early spring. per NC State
Deer resistant
NC State lists Crocosmia as deer resistant. No resistance is ever absolute, though, so genuinely hungry deer may still browse it. per NC State
What pairs well with Crocosmia
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Aster
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early fall as this one finishes; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Perennial Sunflower
Shares full sun and moderate water; overlaps, then carries the display into mid fall; both are strong pollinator plants; its seed heads stand through winter, for structure and the birds.
Sea Thrift
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Mock Orange
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in late spring, before this one opens; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; taller at 8.2 ft, for the layer behind it.
Chives
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in late spring, before this one opens; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months.
Autumn Crocus
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in early fall as this one finishes; both offer pollinator forage, in different months; lower at 6 in, for the front of the border.
Flowering Crabapple
Shares full sun and moderate water; blooms in mid spring, before this one opens; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; stands well above at 20 ft, a canopy to plant beneath.
Rosemary
Shares full sun and low to moderate water; blooms in early spring, before this one opens; both are strong pollinator plants, and they feed in different months; evergreen, so the bed keeps its shape through winter.
Explore similar plants
You might also like
Design a garden with this
Drop this plant onto a 3D plan, see how it fills in, and watch your whole garden bloom across the year.