Crocosmia paniculata
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Curtonus paniculatus
- Phonetic Spelling
- kroh-KOZ-mee-ah pan-ik-yah-LA-tah
- Description
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Crocosmia paniculata is a herbaceous evergreen perennial that typically grows in clumps. It surfaces from a corm that will feature crimped basal green leaves and showy zig-zag red spikes of flowers.
The purplish-green floral bracts have a leathery feel.
Although cold hardy, it is not likely to withstand freezing temperatures. If grown in cold temperature climates, the corms can be lifted for the winter, or a layer of mulch can be applied to protect the corms from freezing.
Division can be accomplished after dieback occurs following its bloom period, or in the early spring before growth starts.
An aroma similar to saffron will emerge when dried flowers are placed in warm water. The dried flowers also produce an orange dye.
It can be found growing on moist rocky and grassy slopes, and forest edges.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Regions with hot, dry summers will subject the plant to foliage damage from the red spider.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Cally Greyleaf'
Blue-grey-silver foliage
- 'Cally Greyleaf'
- 'Cally Greyleaf'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Cally Greyleaf'
Blue-grey-silver foliage
- 'Cally Greyleaf'
- 'Cally Greyleaf'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Crocosmia
- Species:
- paniculata
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical and eastern South Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts birds that pollinate and spread the seed as well as butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Capsules 6" long
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- asymmetrical petals
- Bracts
- Flower Description:
- Zig-zag, outward arching spikes with two rows of 10-22 flowers on the upper side. Flowers are two-lipped. It has green bracts that turn reddish-brown. The flowers are orange to red with unequal tubular petals.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Pleated leaves make this a strong accent plant.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Relatively thick with 2-5 branches that are sometimes also branched.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Patio
- Pond
- Slope/Bank
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
