Guide to Cultivating and Maintaining Crocosmia (Coppertips)

Crocosmia, often referred to as coppertips, is a perennial plant that produces vibrant, colorful flowers during the summer, coinciding with the dormancy of many spring flowers. This plant flourishes in drier environments with lower humidity, requiring full sunlight and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. While it enjoys mild summer temperatures, it benefits from some shade during extremely hot and dry conditions.

Caring for Crocosmia

• Plant crocosmia corms in the spring once the temperatures rise and the risk of frost has diminished.
• Place the corms at a depth of at least 3 inches and space them 6 to 8 inches apart to ensure their winter survival and to promote a straight growth pattern.
• Set up grow-through plant supports to provide assistance for the lengthy leaves and flower stems that often droop.

Warning

Among the roughly 400 varieties of crocosmia, only a select few are recognized as invasive. Named cultivars tend to have a lower likelihood of becoming invasive compared to the wild species. Notably, Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora (Montbretia), as well as C. masoniorum (Crocosmia ‘Marcotijn’) and certain types of C. pottsii, have the potential to spread easily.

Light

Crocosmia thrives and blooms most effectively in direct sunlight. While they can tolerate partial shade, their flowering will be less abundant compared to when they are in full sun. In hotter regions, some shade in the afternoon is acceptable. If you notice your plants in partial shade stretching towards the sunlight, consider lifting the corms after the leaves have died back and replanting them in a sunnier spot.

Soil

Crocosmia plants are quite resilient regarding soil requirements, but ensuring proper drainage is essential. If your soil is dense with clay, consider mixing in sand and peat moss to achieve a loose, well-draining texture. Alternatively, you can cultivate crocosmia in raised beds or pots.

Water

Crocosmia requires consistent moisture, but it’s important to avoid excessive watering to prevent root rot. Water the plants only when the surface of the soil is dry to the touch.

Climate and Moisture Levels

While crocosmia can withstand elevated temperatures and humidity, it flourishes best in arid environments with moderate temperatures. Gardeners in regions such as the Pacific Northwest have noted that an excess of these plants can lead to them dominating the flowerbed, suggesting that an abundance of favorable conditions may not always be beneficial.

Fertilizer

Crocosmia thrives in poor or rocky soil conditions and does not require additional fertilization. An abundance of nutrients may lead to excessive leaf growth, which can detract from flowering.

Varieties of Crocosmia

• ‘Lucifer’ is a vibrant red crocosmia cultivar that was introduced in 1966. It is widely regarded as the most popular and resilient variety available, capable of withstanding winter conditions in zone 5.
• The ‘Bressingham Beacon’ features striking orange and yellow flowers, though it may not consistently withstand the winter conditions in USDA hardiness zones 5 and 6.
• ‘Citronella’ features vibrant blooms in a bright lemon-yellow hue.

Pruning

Trim the spent flower stems, but wait to remove the crocosmia leaves until they naturally wither and turn light brown at the end of the growing season. As long as the leaves remain green, they continue to photosynthesize, transferring energy back to the corms to support the blooms for the following year.

Cultivating Crocosmia

Crocosmia can be multiplied by detaching the small offsets that develop on the corms and replanting them with just a few simple steps. This method of division not only produces additional blooms but also enhances the overall health of the plants, as they can become overcrowded, similar to their relatives in the iris family.

1. In early spring, just prior to the onset of new growth, carefully excavate the corms.
2. Detach the corms manually.
3. Space them out by 6 to 8 inches when replanting.

Growing Crocosmia from Seeds: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Gather seeds from the seed pods that develop along the flowering spike during the autumn season. You can easily separate the pods by hand.
2. Store seeds in packets until spring, keeping them in a cool, dry, and dark location where the temperature remains below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. In the spring, make small cuts in them and immerse them in water to accelerate the germination process.
4. Sow seeds into sandy loam soil once the risk of frost has completely disappeared.

Transplanting and Replanting Crocosmia

You can use any type of commercial potting mix for your crocosmia. Arrange the corms closely in a container made of any material that has drainage holes, and soon you’ll see the grassy leaves sprouting a few weeks after planting. If you don’t see any flowers in the first year, it’s possible that your corms are too small to bloom, so it’s best to let them continue growing in the same spot until the following season.

Overwintering

In their usual cultivation regions, crocosmia can remain planted in the soil throughout the winter. Applying a layer of mulch can provide additional reassurance. In regions with colder climates, it is advisable to excavate the corms and store them indoors in a cool, dry environment during the winter season.

Frequent Insects and Plant Ailments

Crocosmia typically remains unaffected by diseases, unless there are drainage issues that result in root rot. Nonetheless, spider mites can become a problem for crocosmia, particularly in dry environments.

Tips for Encouraging Crocosmia to Flower

What is the duration of Crocosmia’s blooming period?

Crocosmia flowers typically bloom from May until the middle of summer and again from mid-fall, lasting for a period of five to eight weeks. These vibrant blooms are also excellent for arrangements, as they hold up well as cut flowers. To harvest, cut the stems when the first few flowers at the base of the spike begin to open. Trim off the leaves and re-cut the stems at the bottom. Place the flowers in lukewarm water and store them in a cool, dark area for 48 hours to help the blooms stay fresh for a longer time.

How Do Crocosmia Flowers Appear and What Fragrance Do They Emit?

The tubular flowers, which can be red, yellow, or orange, are showcased on elongated, curved stems, making them a popular choice for luring hummingbirds. The flowers bloom sequentially, starting from the base of the stem. The grass-like leaves contribute a soft, flowing quality to the garden and remain visually appealing throughout the entire season. When the flowers are exposed to water, they may release a delicate scent reminiscent of saffron.

Ways to Promote Increased Flowering

For optimal flowering, ensure that the corms are situated in an area that enjoys six to eight hours of sunlight daily. Adequate watering, particularly during dry spells, will promote blooming. Be cautious with fertilization, as excessive amounts may lead to lush foliage at the expense of flower production.

Removing Spent Crocosmia Blooms

There’s no requirement to remove spent crocosmia flowers once they have finished blooming, as they will naturally produce new blooms on their own.

Frequent Issues Encountered with Crocosmia

This plant generally requires minimal care. However, you might encounter a few issues. Keep an eye out for these indicators.

Spotted Foliage

If you observe that the leaves of your crocosmia plants appear speckled, discolored, or have a web-like substance, it may indicate a spider mite problem. To verify, examine the underside of a leaf using a magnifying glass to spot the mites and their eggs. These pests feed on the sap of the leaves, resulting in the unusual appearance. To get rid of the mites, you can use insecticidal soap or neem oil, and consider pesticides only as a final option.

Absence of Blossoms

It’s important to remember that crocosmia may not produce flowers in their initial year, as the corms are busy accumulating energy for future flowering. Various elements, including sunlight and moisture levels, can affect the flowering process, especially if the plants have not blossomed by their second year.

What distinguishes crocosmia from gladiolus?

Crocosmia and gladiolus share a resemblance in their slender leaves and both flourish during the warm summer season. While gladiolus showcases a vibrant array of colors in its blooms, it does not return year after year like crocosmia does. Since both plants thrive in sunny environments, they can be effectively paired together in the center of a garden border or in pots.

Is it possible for crocosmia to thrive indoors?

While crocosmia is stunning when used as a cut flower and thrives in spacious outdoor containers under full sunlight, it is a robust and tall plant that tends to be floppy, making it generally unsuitable for indoor cultivation.

What is the lifespan of crocosmia?Depending on the circumstances, these plants can be expected to thrive for a period ranging from five to twenty years.