Crocosmia are an Iris-like, cormous, perennial with erect, sword-shaped, veined leaves which emerge from corms. These corms multiply vertically e.g. the oldest corm is dragged deeper into the soils by contractile roots allowing the new ones to stack on top.
They are grown however for their spectacular inflorescences of flowers in bright reds, oranges and yellow on a horizontal branched stem throughout summer and into autumn.
These are very popular flowers that go very well in mixed borders especially when the hotter colours are required.
They have also been successfully bred with around 400 cultivars on the market worldwide.
'Lucifer' is one of the most popular along with Columbus.
Very good as cut flowers and well suited to cottage and informal style gardens. They also are happy in coastal areas too.