Crocosmia 'Orange Lucifer' - MONTBRETIA 'ORANGE LUCIFER'

Hybrid of South African perennial with orange flowers and gladiolus sword-like leaves.

Upright, wide vase shaped clump, smaller flowers in one-sided clusters in mid to late summer (July-August - flowers for about 5 weeks).

Usually grows to 2.5-3' of height x 1.5' of width, corms quite quickly multiply and forms wider clumps.

Upright growth, but plant can lean towards one side, especially towards sun.

Full sun, half shade or afternoon shade in hot climates, average soils with some drainage. Adaptable to soil types (loam, clay, sandy, chalk, acidic, alkaline, neutral), but some drainage is always useful (add sand and fine gravel).

Ideal is moderately fertile, humus rich and medium moist soil with some drainage. Tolerant to heat and humidity, salty soils and once established, drought tolerant too.

Hardy in zones 5/6-9, in zone 5 may not be reliably winter hardy and some winter protection is recommended (straw, leaves, cover to protect the plant from excessive winter moisture).

Deer and rabbit resistant, attracts hummingbirds and in small amount butterflies too.

Looks very well in the middle of background of sunny flower bed, can be combined with many perennials like Achillea millefoilium, Coreopsis, Echinacea, Rudbeckia, looks very well with blue color that tames down it's striking color (Echinops, Eryngium, Delphinium, Nepeta, Lavandula) and medium sized grasses that don't compete with it's magnificence. Excellent cut flower that will last 2 weeks in the vase.

Pot size : square 3.5" x 4" deep perennial pot

Picture copyright : Wolfgang Sauber, Commons Wikipedia