Crocosmia 'Spitfire'
montbretia 'Spitfire'
A cormous, clump forming, herbaceous perennial with an upright growing habit up to 1m tall when in flower. It has healthy, mid-green, blade-like leaves and strong, arching flower stems that bear orange-red tubular flowers, in late summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Orange Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Genus
Crocosmia are deciduous cormous perennials with erect, sword-shaped leaves and branched spikes of showy, funnel-shaped flowers in summer
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Corms should be planted in moderately fertile, humus rich soil approximately 10cm deep and 7.5–10cm apart in groups to form clumps. Water if it is a dry season as a lack of water reduces flowering. Has the potential to become a nuisance in some gardens if not managed well
Propagation
Propagate by division in early spring when clumps become congested or Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Prairie planting
- Coastal
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required, except the removal of dead leaves and flower stems before new growth starts in spring.
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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