Crocosmia

How To Plant Crocosmia

Easy to grow and brilliantly colored, crocosmia can transform a summer landscape. Hummingbirds and pollinators love them, and they’re an excellent choice for bulb gardens, mixed perennial beds and cutting gardens. One of the most popular and show-stopping varieties is Crocosmia Lucifer. Its fiery red flowers are a hummingbird magnet. Here’s what you need to know about how to plant Crocosmia Lucifer bulbs and other crocosmia as well as tips for growing and caring for crocosmia.

  • Soil Conditions: A crocosmia bulb is actually a corm, an underground bulblike portion of the stem of the plant consisting of fleshy tissue with a bud at the top. Like bulbs, crocosmia corms require well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and neutral to slightly acidic. If planting crocosmia in containers, make sure the container has drainage holes and use a quality potting mix.
  • Planting time: Crocosmia, like other tender bulbs or summer-flowering bulbs, are planted in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. Wait until the soil warms up before planting.
  • Spacing: Crocosmia look best when planted in groups. Here’s how to plant crocosmia bulbs: place the corms pointy sides up, 3-5 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart. Water after planting.

Picking The Right Spot In Your Garden

  • Where in the garden should crocosmia be planted? Crocosmia prefer full sun, or six or more hours of direct sunlight daily. Because crocosmia can grow 2-4 ft. tall, depending on the variety, they should be planted behind low-growing bulbs and perennials. Crocosmia naturally multiply and spread, so allow room for that.
  • What flowers are good companions for crocosmia? Crocosmia are very versatile and really shine when planted next to other sun-loving, tender bulbs, like dahlias, cannas and anemones. For a carefree look and low maintenance garden, try planting them with ornamental grasses or geraniums.
  • Are There Flowers to Avoid Planting with Crocosmia? When planting crocosmia, keep in mind that they multiply and give them space to grow without overcrowding other plants. Avoid planting crocosmia with plants that have different sunlight and water requirements. Crocosmia don’t do well in dry conditions.

How to Grow Crocosmia Bulbs

Crocosmia bulbs require very little care after planting. As a general rule of thumb, they need about 1 inch of water weekly during the growing season. Mulching helps control weeds and retain moisture in the soil. To keep the blooms coming, cut spent flowers. Because the leaves are needed to nourish the corms for the coming year, let the foliage fade naturally.

Other Tips For Planting Crocosmia Bulbs

In zones 3-6, the corms should be dug up, or lifted, in the fall and stored in a cool place until replanting in the spring. Crocosmia multiply year after year and the corms can be divided every 3-4 years.

Crocosmia make outstanding cut flowers and are dramatic additions to fresh flower arrangements and bouquets. Crocosmia are available in a range of bright colors, including red, orange and yellow, and K. van Bourgondien offers a wide selection of crocosmia bulbs.