Crocosmias: the 6 most beautiful varieties

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Lucifer’: the must-have with red flowers

It is certainly the most popular red Crocosmia: ‘Lucifer’, a beautiful variety with scarlet flowering. In summer, its flowers reveal a particularly intense bright red. They are gathered in floral spikes atop tall, flexible stems, slightly arching under the weight of the flowers like delicate bows. Its long summer flowering ignites the garden, making it one of the most cultivated varieties of Crocosmias.

Larger than its counterparts, ‘Lucifer’ reaches 1 metre in height and 60 cm in spread and will particularly fit into large spaces, creating a focal point that draws the eye.

In a well-kept modern-inspired garden, this variety will add a beautiful graphic touch with its upright vertical habit and slender green foliage. It will create an interesting contrast with the strict shapes of trimmed bushes, such as conifers or boxwood.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Fire King’

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Emily McKenzie’: vibrant flowers

The ‘Emily McKenzie’ montbretia delights us with its intense bicolour. Its funnel-shaped flowers are adorned with a bright orange, accented by a dark red almost brown-purple at the base of the petals. They reveal themselves atop fine, delicate floral stems that are slightly arched. The slender, bright green foliage also adds a beautiful graphic touch. The plant reaches 60 cm in height and 40 cm in spread at maturity.

Our perennial will thrive in full sun and will flower relentlessly from July to September, as long as its substrate remains fresh (moist). Hardy down to about -12°C, it can be protected with a thick mulch or grown in pots in regions with the harshest winters.

In a naturally styled garden, highlight its colourful flowering by cultivating light grasses alongside it, such as Chinese fountain grass or Stipa. Add white-flowering annuals or perennials: delicate white phlox, a white Virginia veronica, and large daisies.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Emily McKenzie’

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Colombus’: a sunny and vibrant flowering

‘Colombus’ is a splendid variety of yellow Crocosmia, resembling a sunset all on its own. Its tubular flowers indeed display a bright golden yellow, accented by reddish-orange hues at their centre. They follow charming orange buds, contrasting beautifully with the pinkish-purple bracts that envelop them. The elegantly sword-shaped, veined foliage serves as a backdrop to this flamboyant flowering.

The display will last almost all summer, forming vibrant bouquets that will brighten any area of the garden. The modest size of these perennials (50 cm in height and 40 cm in spread) also makes them suitable for container cultivation, adding light to a sunny terrace or balcony.

In an English-inspired mixed border, pair it with other warm-coloured plants: rudbeckias, gaillardias, or even sulphur cosmos.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Colombus’

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Fire King’: a blend of colours on its petals

The Crocosmia ‘Fire King’ delights us with its vibrant tones. This old variety remains popular, thanks to its colours that brighten the entire summer period. The funnel-shaped flowers reveal petals that alternate between scarlet red and deep orange. A bicolour variety with true exotic charm. Very floriferous, it comes alive from July to September. The bright green lanceolate foliage becomes more spreading over time, taking on a fan shape, like a case that opens to reveal the floral spikes.

This variety reaches 60 cm in height and 40 cm in width at ripeness. Like the others, it will tend to multiply naturally over time, creating beautiful patches of light.

With other plants in warm colours, create an exotic-inspired bed by cultivating cannas, common castor beans, and butterfly weed. Complete with the lush foliage of colocasias or a banana plant.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Fire King’

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Star of the East’: large orange flowers

‘Star of the East’ differs by the size of its flowers, which are larger than those of other varieties. They are well-opened and measure about 7 cm in diameter. In terms of colour, we find beautiful warm shades. The flowers are bright orange, with a lighter throat speckled with burgundy and the reverse leaning towards cinnamon-orange. The light green foliage forms a lovely lanceolate clump at the base of the plant.

The flowers reveal themselves later, between August and September. They thus take over from the early summer blooms, bringing light and exoticism.

This old variety reaches a height of 80 cm to 1 metre with a spread of 40 cm.

Like other Crocosmias, its cut flowers can create stunning long-lasting colourful bouquets. Pair them with agapanthus in complementary blue-violet hues, with charming grasses like briza with their heart-shaped spikelets, and the decorative round foliage of an eucalyptus.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Star of the East’

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Paul’s Best Yellow’: one of the most beautiful yellow flowerings

‘Paul’s Best Yellow’ offers us a sunny colour: it is one of the most beautiful varieties with yellow flowers. Its warm shades, ranging between yellow and orange, are sure to brighten the garden for several weeks in the heart of summer. Its flowers, quite large for the genus, are well open, gathered in prolific clusters atop long, flexible stems. They rise above dark green, veined foliage, which is always very aesthetic.

Its light and refined silhouette will reach over 1 metre in height and nearly 80 cm in spread after a few years.

The colour of this montbretia will easily blend into the garden, for example with heleniums. You can also opt for a pairing with blue or purple flowering plants, such as asters, agapanthus, or sages.

Crocosmia crocosmiflora ‘Star of the East’