Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' (montbretia 'Emily McKenzie') — Clump-forming, upright with arching flower sprays

Overview

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' is a clump-forming, upright with arching flower sprays perennial in the genus Crocosmia, part of the Iridaceae family, with deciduous; stiff, pleated, sword-shaped, mid to bright green foliage. Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' grows best in full sun to partial shade, and tolerates fertile and moisture-retentive loam improved with organic matter soils and acid and neutral or alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4-H6. Suggested uses include borders, cottage gardens, cut flowers and naturalizing in moisture-retentive soil..

About

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' is a clump-forming perennial in the iris family with upright, arching flower sprays. Leaves are deciduous, stiff and pleated, forming sword-shaped blades of mid to bright green. It blooms from July to September. Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive loam in a south-, west- or east-facing, sheltered position.

About the genus

Crocosmia, also known as montbretia, is a small genus of flowering plants in the iris family, Iridaceae. It is native to the grasslands of southern and eastern Africa, ranging from South Africa to Sudan. One species is endemic to Madagascar.

Wikipedia contributors, "Crocosmia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Crocosmia

In the garden

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' sits in the Iridaceae alongside other Crocosmia cultivars and produces upright clumps that throw out arching sprays of flowers. The foliage is deciduous and pleated into sword-shaped leaves, which die back after the season. Flowering runs from July to September, offering high summer and early autumn colour in the border. Position plants in full sun to partial shade on a south-, west- or east-facing site that is sheltered from strong winds. Soils should be a fertile, moisture-retentive loam improved with organic matter; the plant tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline pH but does not like waterlogged ground. Keep soil moist but well drained rather than dry or waterlogged. The hardiness range H4–H6 means it performs from average-winter to very cold areas across the UK when given a protected spot. Use 'Emily McKenzie' in mixed herbaceous borders, cottage-style beds, or planted to naturalise where soil holds moisture. The sprays work well for cutting, bringing long stems into summer arrangements. Allow foliage to die back naturally after flowering to help the corms store energy for the following season.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Crocosmia

Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Soil type: Fertile, moisture-retentive loam improved with organic matter
Soil pH: Acid, neutral or alkaline
Soil moisture: Moist but well drained
Aspect: South, west or east facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H4-H6

Plant details

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, upright with arching flower sprays
Foliage: Deciduous; stiff, pleated, sword-shaped, mid to bright green
Suggested uses: Borders, cottage gardens, cut flowers, naturalizing in moisture-retentive soil.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie'

Cultivation: Plant corms in spring rather than autumn, setting them around 10cm deep in ground that holds summer moisture, since drought during bud formation is what produces a poor showing. Clumps become congested within a few years and flowering falls away, so lift and divide regularly. The most vigorous kinds spread strongly and are best kept away from delicate neighbours; in colder gardens a dry winter mulch protects the corms.
Pruning: Remove faded flower stems, or leave the seed capsules for autumn interest. Cut the foliage down once it has yellowed in late autumn, or leave it as crown protection and clear in early spring.
Propagation: Divide congested clumps in spring, separating the chains of corms and replanting the plump upper ones. Species can be raised from seed.
Pest resistance: Little troubled outdoors; red spider mite occurs on plants under glass, and slugs graze new shoots.
Disease resistance: Robust in suitable conditions. Gladiolus rust and corm rot occur occasionally, the latter where drainage is poor.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie'?

Plant corms in spring rather than autumn, setting them around 10cm deep in ground that holds summer moisture, since drought during bud formation is what produces a poor showing. Clumps become congested within a few years and flowering falls away, so lift and divide regularly. The most vigorous kinds spread strongly and are best kept away from delicate neighbours; in colder gardens a dry winter mulch protects the corms.

Where is the best place to plant Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie'?

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' prefers full sun to partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' need?

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' grows best in fertile and moisture-retentive loam improved with organic matter soil. It prefers acid and neutral or alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well drained.

How do I prune Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie'?

Remove faded flower stems, or leave the seed capsules for autumn interest. Cut the foliage down once it has yellowed in late autumn, or leave it as crown protection and clear in early spring.

Is Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' hardy in the UK?

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie' has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.

How do I propagate Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie'?

Divide congested clumps in spring, separating the chains of corms and replanting the plump upper ones. Species can be raised from seed.

More in the Crocosmia genus

Browse all Crocosmia →