Falling Stars Crocosmia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Falling Stars:
- Phonetic Spelling
- kroh-KOZ-mee-ah
- Description
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Crocosmia is a genus of herbaceous perennials in the iris family (Iridaceae) native to South Africa. The genus includes seven species and one natural hybrid, but many artificial hybrids and cultivars have been produced. They grow from corms, but some also spread by rhizomes. The genus name is derived from the Greek words for 'saffron' and 'smell' because the dried flowers emit a subtle, saffron-like scent when dampened with warm water.
Crocosmia performs best when planted in full sun. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade will allow the blooms to last longer. Locate in an area that is also protected from hot, dry wind. Irrigate as often as necessary to maintain even moisture in your soil, as the plants do not like to dry out. Crocosmia is semi-hardy, injured below 28 degrees F. When grown in the optimum hardiness zones, the bulbs can remain in the ground for the following year. In cooler zones, the bulbs can be dug up, cleaned and stored in a cool, dry location to be planted the next spring after the chance of frost has passed. Allow the soil and outside temperatures to warm up before planting. Plant to a depth of 5 inches.
The flowers begin to open at the bottom of the spray, and continue to open in succession from the bottom upwards. After blooming, cut the stems back to where they meet the leaves. Allow the leaves to remain until they die back naturally, as they will provide energy to the underground corm to ensure blooms in the next year. Once the leaves wither, cut the plant to ground level.
Propagation is done through division, and should be performed in the early spring every 3 to 4 years to prevent overcrowding and aid in flower production. Over time, they may become weedy and spread into neighboring parts of the border. This is most often a problem with those species and cultivars that make rhizomes.
Crocosmia is a great addition to a butterfly or pollinator garden, a children’s garden or a cottage garden. Crocosmia may also be grown in a cutting garden, as many are excellent as cut flowers. Use it in the herbaceous perennial border. It is also excellent in a container garden. When planting in a container, crocosmia fills the 'thriller' portion of a spiller-thriller-filler arrangement. Ensure that proper drainage is provided when choosing a container.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Spider mites can be an issue, however, hosing the foliage down with a strong spray from your hose will help to dislodge and discourage the mites.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Comet'
Stoloniferous; large yellow tepals with central red streaks.
Crocosmia paniculata
- 'Culzean Pink'
Pink flowers - 'Emberglow'
Dark red flowers; 3 feet tall; pleated foliage - 'Jenny Bloom'
Dark red flowers; 3 feet tall; pleated foliage - 'Limpopo'
Coral-colored flowers
'Lucifer'
- ‘Météore’
Very large flowers, dark yellow interior, blood red exterior.
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora
Common garden plant with fiery orange flowers.
Bright red flowers - 'Comet'
- 'Comet', Crocosmia paniculata, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora, 'Culzean Pink', 'Emberglow', 'Jenny Bloom', 'Limpopo', 'Lucifer', ‘Météore’
- Tags:



















- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Comet'
Stoloniferous; large yellow tepals with central red streaks.
Crocosmia paniculata
- 'Culzean Pink'
Pink flowers - 'Emberglow'
Dark red flowers; 3 feet tall; pleated foliage - 'Jenny Bloom'
Dark red flowers; 3 feet tall; pleated foliage - 'Limpopo'
Coral-colored flowers
'Lucifer'
- ‘Météore’
Very large flowers, dark yellow interior, blood red exterior.
Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora
Common garden plant with fiery orange flowers.
Bright red flowers - 'Comet'
- 'Comet', Crocosmia paniculata, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora, 'Culzean Pink', 'Emberglow', 'Jenny Bloom', 'Limpopo', 'Lucifer', ‘Météore’
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Crocosmia
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Landscape
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Sudan to S. Africa and Madagascar
- Wildlife Value:
- Hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Buffer
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Bulb Storage:
- Store corms in peat or vermiculite at 35 to 41 degrees F
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The capsules contain many seeds. In some species, the seeds are black and shiny and are taken by birds who mistake the seeds for berries.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Beautifully colored spikes of trumpet or tubular shaped flowers will provide a steady presence in your garden from mid-summer into the fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Leathery
- Papery
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The sword-shaped leaves are attractive in the garden. They can be pleated or have a ribbed or rippled effect.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Vertical Spaces
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits