This bulb dies back after flowering each year and enters a period of rest ahead of regrowth the following season.

• Position: Full sun or partial shade
• Soil: Moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: Average to fast
• Flowering period: August to September
• Hardiness: Frost hardy (may need winter protection)



Reliably putting on a dazzling show in the garden with their vividly coloured, funnel-shaped flowers, crocosmias make fine additions to mixed or herbaceous borders, as well as more naturalised planting schemes, where they associate well with other late-flowering perennials and ornamental grasses.



This dazzling, fiery collection contains 30 corms, with 10 of each of the following:


Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Carmin Brilliant': Wiry branching stems rise above the foliage in summer carrying red buds which open to yellow-throated, carmine-red flowers. Their strap-shaped leaves are also attractive and provide a vertical accent. Grows to 60cm.


Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie': Large, pendulous or horizontal, bright orange flowers, have reddish-purple blotches at their base, appear in late summer. Beautiful in bold drifts and excellent cut flowers. Grows to 60cm.


Crocosmia 'Lucifer': Masses of bright red flowers are produced along the top of the slightly arching spikes in midsummer. Perfect for planting in big, bold swathes through ‘hot’ themed borders, the flowers are also excellent for cutting. Grows to 120cm.



• Garden care: Plant the corms (bulbs) in spring approximately 8-10cm (3-4in) deep and 10-15cm (4-6in) apart. Resist removing the faded foliage in autumn and cover the crown of the plant with bracken or bark chips to protect the plant against frost damage. Lift and divide congested clumps in spring, planting the divided sections 8-10cm (3-4in) deep. They can also be grown in pots if kept well watered, where their elegant foliage will splay out forming an attractive shape.