5 Red Crocosmias to Have in Your Garden

The ‘Lucifer’ variety: the star of Crocosmias

This is undoubtedly the most popular red Crocosmia, a reliable choice with incredible charm: the famous ‘Lucifer’! At the heart of a flowerbed or in a pot providing the necessary stability, its vibrant flowers are impossible to miss from afar. Its name, of course, refers to its colour: its funnel-shaped flowers display a bright red that is particularly striking. They reveal themselves atop flexible stems that gracefully bend under the weight of the flowers. They are arranged horizontally in two ranks, resembling the ribs of a fish.

The flowering lasts almost all summer from July to September.

Over time, the plant will form a clump reaching 1 metre in height and 60 cm in spread. At its base, dense, elongated foliage further accentuates the exotic aspect of this bulbous plant. The leaves are lance-shaped, tough, and veined, perfect for highlighting the fiery flowering.

Easy to grow, this Crocosmia requires only a sunny position and light, moist soil to thrive. Plant it alongside plants with purple tones, such as Astrantia major ‘Ruba’, a purple Rudbeckia, or even a daylily like ‘Crimson Pirate’. Lighten the overall effect with grasses such as Carex or Stipa.

In a small space, prefer the company of white or more neutral-coloured plants to highlight ‘Lucifer’.

Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Mistral’: a warm red-orange flowering

The Crocosmia ‘Mistral’ delights us with a long and generous flowering period from July to September. These are small trumpet-shaped flowers that please our eyes during the summer season. The buds are initially a lovely rose-red. Very cheerful and bright, the flowers reveal a red tinged with orange, beautifully uniform. The flower stems gently bend under their weight, forming magnificent coloured arches.

Like other montbretias, its foliage is equally aesthetic. It consists of long lanceolate and veined leaves, in a dark green colour. They provide a perfect backdrop for the flowering.

Of modest size (80 cm in height and 40 cm in spread), this variety will thrive both in the ground and in pots.

In a sunny, natural-looking border, a monarda such as ‘Scorpion’, an echinacea like ‘Orange Skipper’, or an ornamental garlic Allium atropurpureum will accompany our bulbous plant, for example.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Mistral’

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Philippa Browne’: one of the latest red flowerings

‘Philippa Browne’ stands out for its flowering period. Later than its counterparts, it only reveals itself at the end of summer, between August and September. It enlivens the garden when summer-flowering plants begin to gently lose their vigour. The colour of its flowers is evolving: initially red-orange, they take on more pinkish hues towards the end of flowering. The flowers appear atop dark, contrasting floral stems that are supple and elegant.

The foliage is always sword-shaped, adding an exotic and graphic touch.

If, like most Crocosmias, it is a medium-hardy plant (down to about -10 to -12°C), it can certainly be grown as an annual or in a pot sheltered from severe frosts in winter. Its silhouette, reaching 80 cm in height and 50 cm in spread, makes it well-suited for integration into planters or containers.

With this variety, pair it with a Penstemon ‘Rich Ruby’ with deep red flowering and white Gaura such as ‘Whirling Butterflies’ or ‘Snowstorm’ to lighten the overall effect.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Hellfire’: a pure and velvety red

‘Hellfire’, a hybrid variety from England, offers us one of the purest and most intense reds, with no orange or pink undertones. Its colour is more akin to a crimson or carmine red, almost leaning towards dark purple.

Flowering occurs abundantly between July and September, atop almost black flower stems, giving the plant an additional mysterious charm. Larger than those of its counterpart ‘Lucifer’, the flowers are well-opened and measure nearly 6 cm in diameter.

The foliage is again abundant and dense, forming a true tuft at the base of the plant.

Vigorous, ‘Hellfire’ reaches 1 metre in height with a spread of 50 cm and is always easy to cultivate in sunny positions.

This variety deserves to be highlighted by more discreet plants, such as a Baptisia pendula ‘Alba’ with white flowers, which will bring lightness and will start flowering a little before our bulbous plant from June. You can also opt for a catmint with white flowers. Add some grasses to complete the picture.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Hellfire’

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Saracen’: red flowers and bronze foliage

The red Crocosmia ‘Saracen’ is a recent variety that blends several colours in harmony. While its flowers are predominantly red, they feature orange hues, reveal a yellow base, and a bright brown heart. A true explosion of warm colours at the end of summer, between August and September.

But beyond this magnificent flowering, it is also the foliage of this variety that we appreciate. Unlike other montbretias with bright or dark green leaves, our bulbous plant displays here a bronze-green that is as aesthetic as it is surprising. A colour that pairs very well with the flowering and adds a very modern touch.

‘Saracen’ reaches a height of 75 cm and a spread of 40 cm. This variety will be showcased in an exotic-inspired bed, alongside beautiful graphic foliage such as that of the New Zealand flax or Japanese grasses. Add the must-have Cannas or the lesser-known Watsonias.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Saracen’