Plant-A-Day 2020 (Day 202) Crocosmia “Lucifer”

From sister Cate about seven years ago, these spectacular cormous perennials make a big splash in the orchard garden every July. There are so many traits to like about these plants–the foliage is clean and contrasts well with mounded plants, the flowers buds unfurl in a very artistic way, the flowers themselves are plentiful, brilliant scarlet with yellow inside. From a care standpoint, the only important thing (and the one I fail at consistently) is that my plants need staking. They tend to flop, maybe because they are in part sun.

My 2020 plans for this plant are to clip some flowers for the house and set up a better staking system. I also plan to peel away some of the corms in late winter to pot up for sales and gifts.