Do I need to lift the bulbs in winter?

In colder climates, it is best to lift and store the corms in a frost free location.

How often should I divide them?

Divide the clumps every 3 to 4 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.

Plant guide

Montbretia.

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora

Pronounced kro-KOZ-mee-uh kro-koz-mee-FLOR-uh

Also known as Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora, Autumn-gold, Garden Montbretia, Montbretia, Montbretia, Crocosmia, Garden Montbretia

Zigzag Montbretia — Photo by Phil James (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Montbretia is a lovely, clump forming perennial that brings vibrant color to the garden with its arching stems. It grows from underground corms and spreads steadily over time. You will find it is quite resilient once it gets settled in your soil.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial bulb
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 90 cm height, 60 cm spread
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 6 to 9
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

Plant your corms in well draining soil where they can get plenty of sun. Keep an eye out for aphids or spider mites during dry spells. Ensure the soil does not stay soggy in winter to prevent the corms from rotting.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist during the growing season but reduce watering once the foliage begins to die back.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every month during the active growing season.
Pruning: Cut back the dead foliage to the ground in late autumn or early winter after the leaves have turned brown.
Repotting: Divide the clumps every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
Soil: Well draining, fertile, loamy soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -10 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface of the soil.
The plant stops producing new growth.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are considered mildly toxic if ingested.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep the bulbs away from small children as they can be a choking hazard and are toxic if eaten.
Contact allergens: Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and ingestion may cause gastrointestinal distress.

How to identify it

Arching stems with funnel shaped flowers
Sword shaped, bright green leaves
Clusters of orange or red blooms
Grows from small underground corms

Height: 0.6 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: orange, red, yellow, 3 to 5cm

Common problems

Spider mites — These tiny pests thrive in hot, dry conditions and cause stippling on the leaves.
Leaf spot — Fungal infections can cause unsightly spots on foliage during wet, humid weather.

Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: In mild areas, apply a thick layer of mulch to protect the corms. In colder regions, dig up the corms after the first frost, clean them, and store in a cool, dry place until spring.
In containers: They grow well in large containers, provided the pot is at least 12 inches deep to accommodate the corms.

Division

Dig up the clump of corms in early spring or fall.
Gently pull the corms apart by hand.
Replant the healthy corms at the same depth they were previously growing.

Plant them near other perennials that enjoy full sun and consistent moisture to create a balanced display.

Grows well with

Daylily — They share similar light and water needs while providing a nice contrast in leaf texture.
Russian Sage — The airy blue flowers of the sage complement the bold orange tones of the Crocosmia.

Keep away from

Similar species

Montbretia — It is one of the parent species and shares the same general growth habit.

Science

Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Crocosmia
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Garden hybrid of South African origin.
Conservation: This plant is widely naturalized and considered invasive in some regions, so it is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in sunny, well drained spots and spreads through underground corms to colonize areas.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental border, cut flower, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to lift the bulbs in winter?: In colder climates, it is best to lift and store the corms in a frost free location.
How often should I divide them?: Divide the clumps every 3 to 4 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.

Where the name comes from

The name Crocosmia refers to the scent of dried flowers resembling saffron, while crocosmiiflora means having flowers like Crocosmia.

Good to know

It is a hybrid between two South African species.
The name comes from the Greek words for saffron and smell.
It spreads by underground corms.
The flowers bloom in a sequence from the bottom up.

Is your montbretia looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.