Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie'

Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie': A Late-Summer Ember in Fiery Bloom

With elegant, arching stems ablaze in glowing orange and red, Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie' brings a bold, tropical vibrance to the late-summer garden. Each wide-petaled bloom blends rich tangerine tones with a deep mahogany throat, flickering like a flame above sword-like green foliage. This midsized cultivar stands with refined poise—less towering than some Crocosmia, yet every bit as dramatic. From midsummer into early fall, 'Emily McKenzie' enchants pollinators and gardeners alike with its sizzling colour and elegant form.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 60–75 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, forming upright clumps
• Flower Colour: Rich orange with a dark reddish-brown center
• Flowering Period: Midsummer to early fall
• Foliage: Narrow, upright, iris-like green leaves offering vertical texture
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; tolerates clay when amended

Uses and Benefits: Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie' makes a stunning statement in late-season borders, mixed perennial beds, or cutting gardens. Its upright habit and vivid blooms add vertical movement and saturated colour when many summer flowers begin to fade. A magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies, it performs beautifully in naturalistic or tropical-inspired plantings. Its corm-based roots offer resilience and year-to-year consistency when planted in well-drained soils, especially in milder climates.

Companion Plants: Pair Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie' with Echinacea 'Sombrero Sangrita', whose velvety red petals and bold dark cones echo the rich tones in Emily McKenzie while supporting pollinators well into fall. Add the soft, vertical structure of Panicum 'Blood Brothers', whose foliage matures to deep red—creating a graceful backdrop and enhancing the fiery palette. At ground level, tuck in Sedum 'Voodoo', whose bronze-red foliage and rosy blooms echo the warm hues above and thrive in similar sun-loving conditions.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment and during dry spells. Apply a layer of mulch in colder zones to protect corms in winter. In regions with harsh winters, lift and store the corms in fall. Divide clumps every 3–4 years in spring to maintain vigor and enhance flowering.

History: A treasured cultivar of South African origin, Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie' was introduced in the mid-20th century and named for the wife of famed British plantsman Sir Peter Smithers. Belonging to the Iridaceae family, it shares lineage with gladiolus and iris, and brings the same upright elegance to the garden. With its refined height and vivid colour, it has long been admired for adding dramatic flair to summer-to-fall transitions.

Final Thoughts: Blazing with orange energy and graceful form, Crocosmia 'Emily McKenzie' is a standout in the late-season garden. When combined with the rich hues of Echinacea 'Sombrero Sangrita', the structural elegance of Panicum 'Blood Brothers', and the textural depth of Sedum 'Voodoo', it creates a vibrant, layered composition alive with movement, colour, and pollinator activity. A fiery essential for gardeners seeking bold beauty and reliable performance.