Reviewed By PETER LICKORISH
Peter is a Horticulture Lecturer and self-employed Horticulturist, with a passion for diverse areas of the industry - from garden design to the science behind plant growth and propagation. He has completed the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture (MHort) Award and lectures on RHS courses at Bedford College.
Contributions From MARK WASH
Mark has more than 40 years of experience in horticulture, from growing and breeding at his own nursery, working at garden centres and designing products for the horticultural trade. He’s also won Gold medals at both the Hampton Court and Tatton Park RHS Flower Shows.
IN THIS GUIDE
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ is the most widely grown variant of crocosmia – a deciduous perennial with narrow, sword-shaped leaves and vivid tubular flowers.
In the case of the ‘Lucifer’ cultivar, these flowers are bright red, and the plant typically grows to around 1.2m tall.
In this guide, we’ve collaborated with Mark Wash, the owner of Trecanna Nursery, a specialist crocosmia nursery based in Cornwall.
“I first discovered these wonderful plants in the 1980’s, a time when bold colours were often frowned upon,” says Mark.
“Their vibrant tones attracted me and I travelled to the mountains of South Africa to see them in their native surroundings, then followed their 140-year history of breeding across Europe, all of which helped me to appreciate crocosmia more and more.”
C. ‘Lucifer’ is easy to grow in the UK, as it’s hardy to our climate and can withstand harsh winters and temperatures down to -15°C.
It is most often found in flower beds and herbaceous borders, where it complements other flowering plants, and is a great way to add tropical colour to your garden in late summer, once the spring bloomers have come and gone.
It also provides attractive, mid-green foliage from spring to autumn.
Overview
| Botanical Name | Crocosmia |
| Common Name(s) | ‘Lucifer’ / Montbretia |
| Plant Type | Perennial Flower |
| Native Area | South and East Africa |
| Hardiness Rating | H5 |
| Foliage | Sword-shaped leaves, herbaceous |
| Flowers | Funnel-shaped flowers in bright reddish-orange |
| When To Sow / Plant | April, May, June |
| Flowering Months | July, August, September |
| When To Prune | October, November |
Sunlight
Preferred
Full Sun / Partial Shade
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Size
Height
1 – 1.5M
Spread
0.1 – 0.5M
Bloom Time
July – September
Soil
Preferred
Most Soil Types
Moisture
Moist but well drained
pH
Any
The crocosmia genus of flowering plants is part of the Iridaceae iris family and is native to southern and eastern Africa.1Crocosmia. (n.d.). Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:20292-1
It is a bulb flower or deciduous perennial, and grows in clumps, to a maximum height of 1.5m and spread of 0.5m.
It can take up to 5 years to reach this stage, with flower displays getting thicker each season.
The Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ is a member of the hybrid cultivar C. x crocosmiiflora, created in 1879 by Victor Lemoine.2Powers, J. (2007, July 7). Sympathy for the Devil. The Irish Times. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/sympathy-for-the-devil-1.948840
It is characterised by narrow, pleated green leaves, which grow erect and in dense clumps, as well as sprays of fiery red flowers – the colour of the devil, which is where it gets its name.
The plant flowers during the mid-to-late summer months, typically from July to September.
“I just adore the way that crocosmias come into bloom from the early summer onwards, just as many other border perennials are past their best,” says Mark.
“They bring the garden to life just when it’s needed and, after the blooms, come seedheads that decorate the garden well into the autumn.”
Crocosmia is also known as ‘Montbretia’ or ‘Coppertips’.
As well as ‘Lucifer’, there are many other varieties of crocosmia, including hybrid varieties such as C. x crocosmiiflora ‘Carmen Brilliant’ and C. x crocosmiiflora ‘Star of the East’.
Due to their fast-growing nature, these varieties have become invasive in some areas.
In total, there are over 400 cultivars in the Crocosmia genus, producing a variety of flower colours, including red, orange and yellow.3Crocosmia. (2020, July 16). Tree Guide UK. Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.treeguideuk.co.uk/crocosmia/
“Among my favourite Crocosmias are the golden-yellow blooms of the cultivar ‘George Davison’ and the two-tone orange and red splash of ‘Emily McKenzie’” says RHS Master of Horticulture Peter Lickorish.
“These plants’ strap-like leaves add geometric shapes to herbaceous borders whose forms can otherwise be soft and lumpy.”
Habitat & Growing Conditions
Crocosmia is native to southern and eastern Africa, where it grows on grasslands with moderately fertile soil, and in regions with a predominantly sunny climate and high summer rainfall.
That being said, many varieties of crocosmia are hardy, and can withstand low temperatures and partial shade in hot climates.
The ‘Lucifer’ cultivar is a hybrid and is hardy down to temperatures of -10 to -15°C.
Plant Care
Soil Requirements
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ is a hardy plant, and will grow in most moderately fertile soil types – including clay, chalk and sand – and most pHs.
It prefers its soil moist, but not waterlogged, so you must ensure the ground has good drainage.
Add a dry mulch upon planting to help keep the soil moist, but beyond that, you shouldn’t need to fertilise.
Sunlight
Although it can cope with partial shade, crocosmia will thrive best in full sun, so a sunny spot with limited coverage in an east, south or west-facing garden is ideal.
For best results, plant the corms (similar to bulbs) during spring, once the last frosts of winter have passed.
Watering
Water your crocosmia whenever the soil feels dry, from spring to autumn, to make sure it stays moist.
This will help the plant to grow and bloom during the flowering season.
You should not need to water over winter, although you can add mulch to the soil to help protect the corms from the cold, especially if the temperature falls consistently below freezing.
How To Grow Crocosmia
If growing in a flower bed or border, you should aim to plant C. ‘Lucifer’ in groups of 12 or more – it grows in clumps, so this will ensure you get a good cover of foliage and display of flowers in the summer.
Position the corms approximately 15-20cm apart, 7-10cm beneath the ground, and at least 50cm away from neighbouring plants.
Your C. ‘Lucifer’ will most likely need support from bamboo canes or similar, at least whilst it’s growing.
As with many plants, it’s also important to keep the area around your crocosmia free from weeds, to prevent them from interfering with the plant’s rhizomes.
Common Problems
C. ‘Lucifer’ is a hardy plant, and is generally not vulnerable to disease.
The most common problem to which it may succumb is glasshouse red spider mite – particularly during summer, if you are experiencing hot, dry weather, or if you are growing your plant in a greenhouse.
Red Spider Mite
Red spider mite, also known as glasshouse two-spotted spider mite, is a common pest found on garden and house plants.
It feeds on sap from your plant’s leaves, causing them to take on a mottled appearance, and to drop off early – in the most severe cases, it can even lead to the death of your plant.
You can help prevent the mites by misting your plant with water.
If you suspect an infestation, look for signs of the tiny green mites and their eggs on the underside of leaves (you may need a magnifying glass), as well as symptoms such as mottling and paling of leaves, and the appearance of a fine silk webbing over the plant.
The preferred way to control glasshouse red spider mite is biologically – pesticides can damage nearby plants, and encourage resistance in the mites.
Biological controls include the Phytoseiulus persimilis and Amblyseius californicus predatory mites, and the larvae of the Feltiella acarisuga predatory midge, and can be purchased via mail order.
Root Rot
If crocosmia is growing in waterlogged soil, it can also be prone to root rot.
Try to avoid this by planting your crocosmia in soil with good drainage.
If growing in a container, make sure the pot has sufficient drainage holes.
FAQs
Can Crocosmia Be Grown In Shade?
Crocosmia prefers full sun, although it can cope with partial or dappled shade.
It will not thrive in full shade – its leaves will droop and the foliage will not be able to remain upright.
If your plant is leaning towards the sun, it’s a good sign that it’s not getting enough sunlight in its current location, and should be moved.
How Deep Should You Plant Crocosmia?
Plant your Crocosmia approximately 7–10cm under the surface, in order to protect the corm from cold temperatures, and give the plant the support necessary for its leaves to grow vertically.
Even so, the foliage may struggle to grow erect – you can help it out with bamboo cane supports.
How Do You Divide And Replant Crocosmia?
Crocosmia can be divided and replanted in spring before it enters the active growth period.
To do so, dig into the ground around the plant to a depth of 30cm.
Carefully detach and remove some of the plant’s corms, or in the case of the Lucifer cultivar, the underground stems and roots.
Trim any old or dead material, then plant the detached corms/stems immediately in their new home.
Water thoroughly, and continue to do so until the plant is established.
Crocosmia will appreciate being divided every 3 years or so, for the benefit of its health.
Bare patches can form in the middle of clumps which are not divided regularly.
How Big Do These Plants Grow?
As a general rule, C. ‘Lucifer’ will grow in clumps of between 1–1.5m high and 0.2–0.5m wide at maturity.
The average plant reaches a height of around 1.2M, which makes it perfect for positioning towards the back of your herbaceous border.
It will likely take 3–5 years before it reaches this size.
“A peony support is an elaborate way to provide a frame for plants to grow through, and keep tall stems upright,” says Peter Lickorish.
“For use in a similar way, narrow steel rods can be bent around plant pots, to form a curved shape, with a leg either side, that can be pushed into the ground to make a brace.”
