Crocosmia

[Ann B.]

I have two forms of this one. One set is red, but most are yellowish orange.

[Tom]

The first part of this week, in an effort to send pictures to some friends, I used Adobe Photoshop to create a composite of some things that are blooming for me now. One of them is the crocosmia that is in the composite.

I had never heard of that plant until 2 years ago when a MG friend gave me some starts. They are VERY prolific:

And by the way, I just figured out how to post more than one picture per post :D

[Ann B.]

Tom,

You did GOOD!

I love that bog lily. It looks like a form of the Peruvian Daffodil. Mine have not bloomed this year, but they haven't gotten much attention, either. I have a few variegated ones, but I am not encouraging them to bloom. I'd rather they multiply.

I love the red orange crocosmia! Are you growing them in the ground?

Yes, you figured out the trick to multiple images, and, btw, you did quite well at spacing them!

[Tom]

The crocosmia are growing in the ground, partial shade. They really should have more sun, but they are multiplying like crazy! I think I may have to move them to a place where they will have more elbow room, and will not cause a problem if they get out of bounds.

About the only thing the bog lily gets is a small dose of fertilizer in the spring, and I try to keep the weeds out of them. They are planted in an area that has a tendency to not dry out so fast. They are also adding new pups every year.

[Dazed_Lily]

Home Depot has a big bag of crocosmia. I don't know much about it. How long is its bloom time ? Zone ? Thanks !

[Tom]

Crocosmia does well in zones 6-9.
Bloom time is mid summer (late July here)
They are clasified in the Iris family - They look and grow more like gladiolia, and make good cut flowers.
They propagate by offsets and seed here. Could be invasive, but I don't think so, they are easy to pull out. Shallow rooted.

Try some, if you have a sunny place.

[Great-Full]

Just what I'd been waiting for someone to coax. You talked me into it, Tom. I'm SO easy :rolleyes: