Large-flowered Croscomia Mix

The Large-flowered Crocosmia Mix brings together several varieties with large flowers in various shades of yellow, orange and red, easy to grow in the sun in well-drained, moist, rich soil. Create exotic large potted displays with these flowers to enhance your terrace or plant them near the house, where you can admire their flamboyant flower clusters up close, from spring to autumn.

Crocosmia is a perennial herbaceous plant of South African origin, from the Iridaceae family. It bears many similarities to the gladiolus and is cultivated in the same way outside the mildest regions. In the wild, Crocosmias grow in the sun, in fertile soil which is moist in summer and drier in winter. In the garden, they withstand our cold and humid winters to varying degrees, depending on the species and varieties.

In spring, Montbretia forms a basal tuft of flexible leaves, 50-60 cm (20-24in) high, which quickly spread. After 3 to 4 years of cultivation under good conditions, this tuft of leaves can occupy almost 50 cm (20in) of ground space. It will flower from July to September with slightly arched floral stems that can reach 70-80 cm (28-32in) high. They bear a nearly horizontal branched spike, with numerous buds that open into large fully open flowers, directed horizontally or upwards, resembling delicate daylilies with a diameter of about 6 cm (2in). They are composed of 3 inner petals and 3 outer petals. The dark green leaves are sword-shaped. Their surface is pleated and strongly veined, and they spread out in a dense fan or cluster from the base of the plant. The storage organ is a corm, which is a swollen stem surrounded by scales.

Montbretias symbolise summer and bring the exoticism of their origins to our gardens. They are easy to grow, vigorous, and undemanding and should be planted in the sun, in groups of 10 corms, in fertile and moist soil. Their bright colours, yellow, orange or red, create cheerful spots of colour in gardens. Their flamboyant flowering forms a beautiful combination with white, mauve or blue asters. They also blend well with heleniums, in front of screens of golden or very dark foliage provided by Physocarpus or Cotinus. In a more contemporary or naturalistic style, Crocosmias mix with grasses and phormiums.

When they thrive in open ground in a sunny exposure and rich, well-drained soil, they multiply and become more beautiful each year. They are also excellent flowers for your cutting.