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Falling Stars Crocosmia

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Falling Stars:

Phonetic Spelling
kroh-KOZ-mee-ah
Description

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:
'Comet', Crocosmia paniculata, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora, 'Culzean Pink', 'Emberglow', 'Jenny Bloom', 'Limpopo', 'Lucifer', ‘Météore’
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#bulb#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#corm#showy leaves#rabbit resistant#well-drained soil#summer bulbs#cutting garden#floral arrangement#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#dry soils intolerant#heat intolerant#clay soils intolerant#thriller#container plant#wet soils intolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Comet', Crocosmia paniculata, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora, 'Culzean Pink', 'Emberglow', 'Jenny Bloom', 'Limpopo', 'Lucifer', ‘Météore’
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#bulb#showy flowers#fragrant flowers#corm#showy leaves#rabbit resistant#well-drained soil#summer bulbs#cutting garden#floral arrangement#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#dry soils intolerant#heat intolerant#clay soils intolerant#thriller#container plant#wet soils intolerant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
  • 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