Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory' (Montbretia) — Clump-forming, upright with arching flower sprays

Overview

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory' 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 'Golden Glory' 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, cut flowers, cottage gardens and naturalizing in moisture-retentive soil..

About

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory' is a clump-forming perennial in the iris family that produces upright stems bearing arching sprays of flowers. It has deciduous, stiff, pleated, sword-shaped leaves of mid to bright green. Flowering occurs from July to September. It suits a sunny, sheltered spot in moisture-retentive soil.

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

A member of the iris family Iridaceae, Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory' grows as a clump-forming perennial with upright stems that bear arching flower sprays. The foliage is deciduous, with stiff, pleated, sword-shaped leaves that give a vertical architectural note to summer borders. Flowering runs from July to September.A sunny position is ideal, though it will tolerate some light shade; choose a south-, west- or east-facing site that is sheltered from strong prevailing winds. Plant into a fertile, moisture-retentive loam improved with organic matter and avoid waterlogged heavy clays by ensuring the soil remains moist but well drained. The species tolerates a wide soil pH range — acid, neutral or alkaline — so soil amendment can focus on structure and fertility rather than pH.Hardiness is rated H4–H6 (average to very hardy), so it will persist in most UK gardens provided crowns are not left waterlogged and the site is protected from exposure. Use in mixed borders where the upright, arching sprays can rise above lower perennials, in cottage garden schemes, or for naturalising into moisture-retentive ground. It is also cultivated for cut flowers, bringing late-summer stems into arrangements; the form and timing of the blooms make it particularly useful where summer cut-flowers are required.

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 'Golden Glory' 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, cut flowers, cottage gardens, naturalizing in moisture-retentive soil.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory'

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 'Golden Glory'?

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 'Golden Glory'?

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory' prefers full sun to partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory' need?

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory' 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 'Golden Glory'?

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 'Golden Glory' hardy in the UK?

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory' 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 'Golden Glory'?

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

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