Crocosmia 'Lucifer'

Crocosmia 'Lucifer': Fire-Engine Red Hummingbird Magnet

Brilliant scarlet flowers lined up along arching stems, so red the hummingbirds can spot them from the next postal code. This crocosmia doesn't whisper. IT SETS OFF THE SMOKE ALARM.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Crocosmia 'Lucifer'
• Common Name: Montbretia
• Height: 90–120 cm (3–4 ft)
• Spread: 45–60 cm (1.5–2 ft)
• Flowers: Brilliant scarlet-red, upward-facing tubular flowers along arching, branched stems
• Bloom Time: Midsummer (July to August)
• Foliage: Broad, pleated, sword-shaped bright green leaves in upright fans
• Features: Excellent cut flower

Where to Plant: Use it toward the back of a sunny border or in a bold clump where its height and colour can carry from a distance. The arching stems and fans of leaves add strong vertical lines to softer plantings, and both the flowers and seed heads are good for cutting.

Companion Plants: Aquilegia Earlybird™ Purple Yellow blooms from May to July, before the red flowers appear. Tradescantia 'Concord Grape' adds deep purple flowers from June to September, a rich partner for red. Anemone Frilly Knickers™ takes over with white flowers from August to October. This trio keeps the bed in colour from spring to fall.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in moist but well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. In part shade it grows, but flowers less. The corms dislike sitting wet in winter, so lighten clay soil or plant on a gentle rise. Water during dry spells in summer. Plant corms 10–15 cm (4–6 in) deep. In zone 5, leave the foliage standing over winter and add a thick mulch of leaves or straw after the ground freezes. In colder or exposed gardens, lift the corms in fall and store them frost-free. Tall stems may need a little support in rich soil or windy sites. Cut old foliage back in early spring. Divide crowded clumps every three or four years in spring.

History: 'Lucifer' was bred by Alan Bloom and Percy Piper at Bressingham Gardens in Norfolk, England, from a 1963 cross of two of the hardiest South African species, Crocosmia masoniorum and C. paniculata. It was introduced in the late 1960s and later received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Final Thoughts: Pleated, sword-like leaves, deer resistant and an excellent cut flower. Plant a big clump. HUMMINGBIRD TRAFFIC JAM INCOMING.