Crocosmia 'Ellenbank Firecrest'

RHS Plant Profile
montbretia 'Ellenbank Firecrest'

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montbretia 'Ellenbank Firecrest' RHS
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A deciduous perennial to 60cm tall with sword-shaped leaves. Arching stems bear funnel-shaped, yellow flowers with wide, dark orange to red margins from mid-summer into autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
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

Plant 8-10cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained and preferably sandy soil in full sun or partial shade; in colder areas plant somewhere with shelter from cold drying winds, such as near a wall, and protect in winter with a thick, dry, organic mulch; if clumps become congested, divide them in early spring. Has the potential to become a nuisance in some gardens if not managed well

Propagation

Propagate by division of established clumps in spring, just before new growth starts

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required, except 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