Crocosmia masoniorum - Montbretia

Crocosmia masoniorum is undoubtedly the most beautiful botanical species of montbretia. It is also one of the hardiest and least water demanding. Its summer flowering consists of large mandarin-coloured flowers that stand upright, displaying an almost golden throat in the centre of a beautiful orange corolla. They open along arching spikes, rising from thick clumps composed of smooth and tapered green leaves. This remarkably floriferous and spectacular montbretia deserves to be more widely cultivated. It has produced numerous excellent cultivars (such as 'Lucifer'), to the point that it has almost been forgotten.

Crocosmia masoniorum is native to mountainous areas north of Encobo and Umtata Eastern Cape, South Africa. Becoming rare in its original region, it grows in shaded areas on moist rocky slopes, at the source of mountain streams. Its natural habitat is subject to a cold temperate climate, with abundant summer rainfall and a cold, dry winter. In cultivation, it is reportedly cold-hardy down to -25°C (-13°F), in well-drained dry soil. It is an herbaceous bulbous plant that slowly forms clumps up to 80cm (32in) tall when in flower, and at least 50cm (20in) wide. Its deciduous leaves are rigid, lance-shaped, and longitudinally plicate. They measure approximately 2.5 to 5cm (1 to 2in) wide. The flower stem emerges in July-August, bending under the weight of the flowers arranged curiously in a "fishbone" fashion in 2 ranks. They face upwards, so that the dense inflorescence forms a beautifully arched, brightly coloured display. The vivid orange flowers are tinged with red and pink. They are funnel-shaped with 6 spreading tepals. They measure up to 5cm (2in) long and 3.5cm (1in) wide.

Their vibrant colours in yellow, orange, or red create cheerful splashes in gardens. They are splendid when combined with annuals or bushes, and blend well in natural gardens with perennials, silver foliage, or grasses. They thrive in the ground in sunny exposures and well-drained soil, and will multiply over time to become more beautiful every year. They are also excellent flowers for bouquets. The masoniorum species is particularly ornamental. It will thrive in any well-drained soil, whether it is gravelly or sandy, rich or poor, moist or occasionally dry. It cannot tolerate stagnant moisture in winter.