Sophisticated crocosmia

What's in a name? Graham Rice explains why the vigorous, almost invasive montbretia is more popular and better behaved under its modern name of crocosmia

-  Graham Rice

CROCOSMIAS have undergone a dramatic transformation. Back when they were known as montbretia, just about the only variety we grew was as much an irritation as anything else. Now, they are popular border plants.

There are two things that have transformed the fortunes of the humble montbretia into invaluable crocosmia. But first, what are we talking about?

Crocosmias are border perennials, hardy over much of the country and growing from small crocus-like corms, that produce slender sword-like leaves, often attractively pleated. Then, in summer, wiry stems emerge carrying long sprays of starry or trumpet-shaped flowers, each a little like a lily flower, but held in elegant sprays.

Fiery tones

The colour range of these plants is limited to fiery tones, but within these limits the flowers are stunning. From deepest scarlet through every shade of flame you can imagine to soft yellow, there are also some delightful bicoloured varieties and some with bold mahogany markings. A few have attractive seedheads and, in some, the foliage is a lovely coppery bronze.

So, what's changed? While the original orange and yellow montbretia (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora) is short, vigorous, almost invasive, and can sometimes be a real nuisance as it spreads, modern crocosmias are much better behaved. That original montbretia had escaped into the wild a mere 20 years after it was first grown in gardens and now you'll sometimes see it taking over roadside verges. It also tends to produce relatively few flowers, but spreads strongly.

Better behaved