Crocosmia

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora is a vigorous, corm-forming perennial grown for upright fans of sword-shaped leaves and branching stems of orange flowers. The hybrid is variable, so its mature spread and behavior depend on the cultivar and growing conditions. ## Garden profile The [Royal Horticultural Society](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/92445/crocosmia-%C3%97-crocosmiiflora/details) describes orange summer flowers above mid-green foliage and gives a typical range of 0.5–1 m tall by 0.1–0.5 m wide. [Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:436427-1) recognizes the hybrid as Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora, with parentage C. aurea × C. pottsii, in the iris family. The RHS [growing guide](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/crocosmia/growing-guide) notes that this hybrid can spread more freely than some named cultivars. ## Siting Grow in full sun or light shade in soil that retains some moisture while draining reasonably well. Its upright foliage and bright flowers work in mixed borders, where a spreading clump can be given room. In Great Britain, some Crocosmia are subject to regional invasive-species restrictions; that status should not be generalized to every place or cultivar. ## Maintenance Remove spent flower stems and old leaves as they fade. Divide crowded clumps when growth becomes congested, and use a container or a contained bed where spread needs closer management.