Do I need to dig up the corms in winter?

In colder zones, it is best to lift and store them, but they are hardy in zones 6 and warmer.

How often should I divide them?

Divide the clumps every 3 to 4 years to keep them vigorous.

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 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
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 for too long.
The plant stops producing new flowers.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion is not recommended.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep bulbs away from small children as they can be a choking hazard if swallowed.
Contact allergens: The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergen risks 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 1m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: orange, red, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
AphidsUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Apply a thick layer of mulch over the roots in late autumn to protect them from deep freezes. In very cold climates, dig up the corms and store them in a cool, dry place.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 30 cm deep.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Gently pull the corms apart.
3. Replant the healthy corms at the same depth.

Plant in groups of 5 or more for the best visual impact in a perennial border.

Grows well with

Daylily — They share similar light and moisture requirements.
Purple Coneflower — The contrasting colors look beautiful together in a summer border.

Similar species

Lucifer — A popular cultivar with more intense red flowers.

Science

Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Crocosmia
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Garden hybrid of South African species.
Conservation: It is considered an invasive species in some parts of the world, including New Zealand and parts of Australia.

It spreads through underground corms and can naturalize in moist, disturbed areas.

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to dig up the corms in winter?: In colder zones, it is best to lift and store them, but they are hardy in zones 6 and warmer.
How often should I divide them?: Divide the clumps every 3 to 4 years to keep them vigorous.

Where the name comes from

The name refers to the dried flowers smelling like saffron when soaked in water.

Good to know

The name comes from the Greek words krokos for saffron and osme for smell.
It is often called Montbretia in older gardening books.
The flowers are excellent for attracting hummingbirds to the garden.

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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.