Crocosmia 'Firebird'

RHS Plant Profile

montbretia 'Firebird'

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Synonyms

Crocosmia masoniorum 'Firebird'

Bulbs Herbaceous Perennial

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A bulbous herbaceous perennial with upright, lance-shaped dark green leaves. Arching stems bear large, red-orange tubular flowers with a yellow throat from summer through until autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
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 spring, in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained and preferably sandy soil in full sun or partial shade; 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

Cottage and informal garden
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds

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