Overview

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'His Majesty' 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 'His Majesty' 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 and naturalizing in sunny sheltered spots..

About

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'His Majesty' is a clump-forming perennial producing upright stems topped with arching sprays of summer flowers. Foliage is deciduous, consisting of stiff, pleated, sword-shaped leaves of mid to bright green. It flowers in the UK from July to September. Plants perform best in full sun to partial shade on fertile, moisture-retentive soil in a sheltered, south-, west- or east-facing spot.

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 'His Majesty' is a clump-forming perennial in the Iridaceae that bears upright growth with arching flower sprays and deciduous, pleated sword-shaped leaves. Flowering runs from July to September, making it a summer-to-early-autumn presence in the border. Place it where it receives full sun or light afternoon shade; sites facing south, west or east suit it best. It prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive loam improved with organic matter and tolerates a wide soil pH range (acid to alkaline). The soil should stay moist but drain freely; choose a sheltered location to protect the flower spikes from strong winds. Hardiness is H4–H6, meaning it will survive typical UK garden conditions from average to very hardy. Use plants in mixed borders where upright stems and arching sprays can rise above lower companions, and allow room for clump development. It is also valuable for providing cut stems through mid to late summer and for naturalising in sunny sheltered spots where moisture is steady. The plant's architectural leaves and late-summer flowering period make it particularly effective where height and seasonal 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 'His Majesty' 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, naturalizing in sunny sheltered spots.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'His Majesty'

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

More in the Crocosmia genus

• 
  Crocosmia masonorumMontbretia
• 
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'A. E. Amos'Montbretia
• 
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Aurore'Montbretia
• 
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Carmin Brilliant'Montbretia
• 
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Emily McKenzie'montbretia 'Emily McKenzie'
• 
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Firebird'Montbretia
• 
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Golden Glory'Montbretia
• 
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Jackanapes'montbretia 'Jackanapes'