Crocosmia 'Lucifer': the perfect perennial for colour and height
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (or Montbretia to many of us) is a wonderfully vibrant perennial, and is the perfect plant for adding height and colour to any summer border. With long, narrow, arching sword-like mid-green leaves, and tall flower stems tipped with strips of multiple bell-shaped bright red blooms, C. ‘Lucifer’ is considerably more impressive than the shorter and more commonly seen orange-flowered variety of montbretia.
Flowering throughout mid- to late summer, and achieving heights of at least 1m, C. ‘Lucifer’ is perfect for the middle or back of a mixed planting border. It readily forms clumps, and is particularly effective when planted in groups or drifts. We like to let it slowly spread and find its own way through a border.
Preferring full sun or dappled shade, C. ‘Lucifer’ will grow successfully in most soil types providing they are neither water logged or excessively dry. Despite its exotic appearance, it can also cope with cold winters and exposed or moderately windy sites.
From a garden design point of view, C. ‘Lucifer’ is a really useful and versatile plant. We love to use it alongside other ‘hot’ coloured plants. With its bright yellow flowers, Rudbeckia is a wonderful pairing, as are any of the Kniphofia (red hot poker) family. Both also complement C. ‘Lucifer’ in terms of height. Most of the taller ornamental grasses also work well as companions, providing wonderful interest and texture as the summer slowly fades into autumn.
So, there we are. A wonderful plant, and a ‘must have’ for adding colour, height and vibrancy to any late summer garden. If you haven’t already got Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ in your garden then we really would urge you to consider adding it for next year’s display. We are sure you won’t regret it.
Tythorne Garden Design provides professional fixed-fee garden design solutions for customers in Grantham, Stamford, Newark and surrounding areas. Let's see how we can help you to enjoy your garden more. Call us on 07900 224 239 or 01529 455 355.