A perennial herbaceous tuberous hybrid plant with colorful and vibrant flowers resembling flames, is called crocosmia, or montbrecia. These are just two different names for the same plant, and in the people it is also called Japanese gladiolus.
The origin and appearance of the plant
Montbrecia appeared thanks to the work of the French breeder V. Lemoine. In 1880, he crossed Pots’s crocosm and golden, resulting in a magnificent garden hybrid. In Latin, the flower was called Crocosmia.
For over a century, the plant has been widely used in decorative floriculture. It is used to create landscape compositions, decorate terraces and balconies. The Iris family, to which the crocosmia belongs, is very popular with both experienced and novice gardeners.
The appearance of montbrecia
Crocosmia reaches a height of 40 cm to 1 m. The leaves are thin and long, corrugated structure, arranged in small bunches. Spike-type inflorescences are located closer to the top of the stem. On one stalk, there are an average of about 40 flowers that begin to unfold from the lower inflorescences.
For your information! Depending on the cultivar of the crocosmia flower, the color of the petals differs. It ranges from pale yellow to bright red. Red-brown flowers are also found. When opened, flowers in diameter reach 5 cm, and their shape resembles lilies.
Description of the Iris family
The Iris family has about 1800 plant species belonging to 75-80 genera. The most common representatives are considered to be Juno, Irises, Herododictiums, gladiolus, Acidanthera and Crocosmia. Representatives of the family grow on almost the entire globe. It is difficult to find botanical gardens without these plants, which combine only herbaceous perennials.
Representatives of the Iris are distinguished by kasatik leaves with a two-row arrangement and a xiphoid, sickle or ribbon-shaped. Flowers are collected in panicle and raceme inflorescences. Pollinated mainly due to insects, but there are species pollinated by birds.
Note! The popularity and demand for flowers of this family are explained by decorativeness and attractive appearance. In addition, the rhizomes of some species have medicinal properties, and valuable alkaloids are contained in kasatikovy essential oil.
Crocosmia in the garden
Crocosmia perennial
For the design of the summer-autumn flower garden, an attractive, bright flower with the unusual name Crocosmia perennial is perfect. Its lush bright orange inflorescences are effectively combined with narrow bright green foliage. The flower is not only distinguished by its expressive, but also by long flowering, which lasts until the fall.
During flowering, the flower exudes a pleasant aroma resembling the smell of saffron. It even persists after the plant is dried.
As for the propagation of the Crocosmia flower, it is carried out by vegetative or seed methods. In order to get a formed plant by spring, it is necessary to sow seedlings in advance. Therefore, the most convenient is the reproduction by division of corms.
The perennial flowering period of crocosmia lasts from July to September, some varieties bloom until the first frost.
Note! The flower is not afraid of high temperatures, but it is very demanding on lighting. With a lack of light, the plant stretches out and may not bloom at all.
Popular types of crocosmia for growing in the garden
Crocosmia is an unpretentious plant, so it is he who is preferred by both experienced gardeners and beginners. With the help of this flower, various floral combinations are created and decorate the garden.
Note! Currently, there are more than 50 species of representatives of crocosmia, but most often only 11 are cultivated, which differ in certain characteristics.
- Crocosmia Lucifer. The plant can reach a height of 150 cm. Peduncles are straight, flowers are rich red or pastel colors. The variety is characterized by high frost resistance, therefore, Lucifer crocosmia is most often grown in the northern regions of Russia. At the same time, in regions with not very frosty winters, gardeners leave corm plants for wintering in the soil.
- Crocosmic paniculata. One of the most common types. The height of the bush reaches 150 cm. The flowers are orange-brown, the leaves of a narrow shape are saturated green. The flowering period is in June.
- Golden This species is distinguished by small inflorescences of golden, orange or red color and linear leaves. The plant blooms in September.
- Potsa. The plant stands out with narrow emerald leaves and small orange flowers. A flower of this species grows well in shaded areas and marshy areas.
- Emily Mackenzie Plants of this species are compact in size, their height does not exceed 0.6 m. The stems are erect with a large number of brownish-orange inflorescences.
Crocosmia Lucifer
- Tangerine queen. The bush reaches a height of up to 1.2 m. The flowers are saturated orange color.
- George Davidson. The bush grows to a height of 0.7 m. The leaves are dark green, amber-yellow flowers. Flowering begins in July. This look is perfect for cutting.
- Mackenzie One of the undersized representatives of the species. The plant grows up to 60 cm in height. It is distinguished by orange-brown inflorescences with pointed ends.
- Star of the East. Crocosmia grows up to 1 m in height. It differs in strong stems and saturated green leaves. Flowers in diameter grow up to 10 cm apricot shade. This species is considered one of the longest flowering.
- Red king. The characteristic features of this flower are saturated orange inflorescences with a speck in the middle. It grows in height about 80 cm.
- Massonorum. The plant is famous for fiery orange inflorescences and saturated green xiphoid leaves. The bush reaches a height of up to 60 cm. The flowering period occurs in July. The plant has high frost resistance.
Crocosmia Massonorum
Growing conditions
When growing a crocosmia flower, planting and care in open ground and seeds do not cause special problems, since there is no need to use special tools and equipment. In order for a plant to grow and develop normally, it is enough to provide it with normal conditions.
Seed cultivation
It is recommended to grow crocosmia, or montbrecia, through seedlings in mid-latitudes, because if you sow seeds in open ground, they can give minimal seedlings or not rise at all.
The most optimal time for sowing seeds for seedlings is February-March. For sowing, it is necessary to prepare a shallow container. A drainage layer is laid at the bottom, and then the tank is filled with soil with humus and coarse sand.
Note! Seeds are pre-soaked for a day in water with a growth stimulant, then dried. After that, they are distributed over the surface of the soil, covered with a film and placed in a bright place.
After sowing, you need to take care of the flower daily, remove the shelter from the crops so that they are aired. Watering is carried out as necessary. After each watering, it is recommended to carefully loosen the soil.
Important! It is strictly forbidden to overmoisten the substrate. It should always be in a slightly moistened state.
As soon as the shoots begin to appear, the film can be removed.
As soon as 2-3 real leaves appear on the seedlings, the seedlings dive into the pots and continue to develop in them before planting in open ground. A few weeks before this, it was tempered, taking it out to the street.
As soon as the threat of frost passes and the soil warms up, seedlings can be planted in previously prepared and fertilized open ground. After planting, the flowers should be watered and fertilizers systematically applied.
When and how to plant crocosmia in open ground
Experienced gardeners do not recommend planting perennial crocosmia in the open ground, since this method of planting often leads to sparse and fragile seedlings. But, despite this, those who live in the southern regions practice this method.
Bulbs of Crocosmia
It is best to pre-germinate a place. Since the flower is thermophilic, it is best to plant it when the soil warms up to about 10 ° C and the threat of frost passes. Therefore, the timing of planting varies depending on the climate. On average, crops are carried out in late April - early May.
The place for planting should be well lit, and the shadow should not fall on the plant. Also on the site should not be drafts. A flowerbed is pre-prepared, the soil is dug up, and fertilizers are introduced into it. Then shallow grooves are made, which are watered before planting. After that, the seeds are distributed and sprinkled with soil, and also covered with a film or non-woven fiber.
Important! As soon as 4-5 leaves are formed on the seedlings, they are transplanted to a permanent place.
Care Features
Throughout the entire life cycle, a flower needs to be provided with moderate root watering. It is enough to water the flower 1-2 times a week. If it rains systematically, then watering stops.
Top dressing
If the soil was properly fertilized before planting, then there is no need for frequent top dressing. If not, fertilizers must be applied systematically, every 10 days. During the budding period, to stimulate flowering, top dressing is needed to saturate the plant with potassium. If everything is done correctly, then the flower will certainly thank its owner with a spectacular appearance and a pleasant aroma.
Winter preparations
In regions where the air temperature drops below −20 ° C, according to the general description of the plant, in the autumn bulbs must be removed from the soil. This is done around the beginning of October. After digging, they are dried and placed in a cool, ventilated place with an air temperature of about 10 ° C.
Important! In regions with warm winters, flower bulbs can not be dug up. It is enough to fill it with a mulching layer and cover it with cling film on top.
Possible pests and diseases
When growing crocosmia on swampy soil types, the plant may suffer from fungal diseases. In addition, flowers can be affected by Fusarium and jaundice. As for pests, thrips and a bear can destroy a plant. Fungicides will help against ailments, and parasites - insecticides.
Flower thrips
Graceful crocosmia will be a wonderful decoration for both summer and autumn flower beds. These amazing plants of the Iris family will look equally impressive both in groups and singly. Moreover, in the process of caring for them, you do not need to do anything supernatural. The formula for success is to provide moderate watering and systematically fertilize.
