General Description/History

Another in the long line of South African garden escapees, Crocosmia is a common weed along roadsides, drains and creek beds in southern Australia. It has long dark green leaves, a bit like an iris or Agapanthus, and in spring and summer produce long flowering stems that contain several sprays of tubular red and orange flowers. Flowers open from the bottom of each spray upwards to reveal 6 petals and obvious stamens with yellow pollen. There are over 400 varieties, but most cut flowers are the standard red and orange flowering types. Some garden varieties have yellow flowers and dark red leaves, but these tend to have short flowering stems.

Crocosmia are picked from plantations or picked from road-sides. Most are grown in Victoria and NSW.

What to look for

• Buy when the lower buds are showing full colour, or the lower flowers are just starting to open;
• Shake bunches and avoid those where flowers drop off.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool at all times.
2. Strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem and wash thoroughly.
3. Recut at least 2 cm off each stem and place in water immediately.
4. Do not bash or split stems.
5. Always use a preservative as this will help keep open flowers looking fresh.
6. Replace vase water with fresh preservative every 2 to 3 days.
7. Crocosmia are very sensitive to ethylene, and as they are often picked from the side of the road, most are affected and will drop flowers. For this reason they do not have a long life.
8. Branches with seed pods can often be found in autumn, and these do not drop off.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

The name name ‘Crocosmia’ comes from the Latin ‘croceus’ meaning saffron coloured (ie golden orange). Called Montbretia in England.

Botanical Name: Crocosmia hybrids

Common Names: Crocosmia, Montbretia

Stem Length: 30 to 80 cm

Country of Origin: South Africa

Available Colours: Orange, Red

Season: Summer,Autumn,Spring

Availability: January,February,March,October,November,Decemeber