Crocosmias are only hardy to zone 6, but I have seen great stands of them growing well in Connecticut.
Mine have never done well. I bought six 'Lucifer' crocosmias in 2010 and planted them next to the light post.
Eventually what was left -- a few plants -- was moved to the edge of the gravel garden under the magnolia, next to the asters.
They need very dry well drained soil in winter or they rot.
They get aphids during summer that turn the green swords brown and speckled and dried out. I have been using the jet spray on the hose to control it. I do need to keep after it, otherwise the foliage just looks dead and messy.
They always need staking. The tall sword foliage tips over otherwise.
How pretty if I can keep it healthy!
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| 7/2/2012 |
There is just something about the vibrancy of the red in 'Lucifer' --they are so very, very scarlet when they bloom!
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| 7/18/14 |
By 2015 it was clear that I'll never have a large stand of 'Lucifer' crocosmia. I get a few plants to come back each year and they are striking against the white lamp post, but they are not spreading, and I only have about 4 plants. But even those few plants make a real statement -- love the hot red color. In 2016 they were moved to the gravel garden.
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| 7/16/15 -- now all 'Lucifer' is at the edge of the gravel garden. |
