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

Overview

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lady Wilson' 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 'Lady Wilson' 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 soils..

About

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lady Wilson' is a clump-forming perennial in the iris family that carries upright growth with arching sprays of flowers. Leaves are deciduous, stiff and pleated, shaped like swords and mid to bright green. It blooms from July to September. Suited to fertile, moisture-retentive soil in full sun to partial shade on a sheltered, south, west or east-facing site.

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 'Lady Wilson' is a perennial in the Iridaceae with a clump-forming habit and arching flower sprays set above stiff, pleated, sword-shaped leaves. Flowering runs from July to September, providing summer-to-early-autumn stems for the garden or for cutting. Plant on a south, west or east-facing, sheltered site in full sun to partial shade. Work plenty of organic matter into a fertile, moisture-retentive loam before planting; the species tolerates acid, neutral or alkaline soils so pH is not normally critical. The plant prefers soil that stays moist but drains freely and benefits from a position where root moisture is consistent rather than waterlogged. Classified H4–H6 — from average to very hardy — it will survive most UK winters provided it is not exposed to driving winds on thin soils. Use it in mixed borders and cottage-garden schemes, and allow it to naturalise where soils remain moisture-retentive. It also performs well as a cut flower, the upright sprays giving stems for vases while the pleated leaves provide structural interest at the base of the clump.

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 'Lady Wilson' 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 soils.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lady Wilson'

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 'Lady Wilson'?

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 'Lady Wilson'?

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lady Wilson' prefers full sun to partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lady Wilson' need?

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lady Wilson' 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 'Lady Wilson'?

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 'Lady Wilson' hardy in the UK?

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lady Wilson' 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 'Lady Wilson'?

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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