Crocosmias in Barnston
Crocosmia spp.
Hardy perennial grown from corms in UK borders. Plant in moist but free-draining soil in sun or light shade, water well after planting, and leave the clump to settle before lifting and dividing every few years.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Crocosmia
Planting Calendar
Plant Corms
14 Feb – 16 AprPlant corms around 14th February - 16th April, with the growing point just below the surface in firm, well-drained soil. Space them apart and water in thoroughly straight after planting.
Water to Establish
16 Apr – 14 JunKeep the soil evenly moist for the first 16th April - 14th June while the corms root in. Give a deep soak in dry spells, then ease off once new growth is strong and the clump is settled.
Deadhead Spent Stems
31 May – 22 OctFrom 31st May, remove faded flower stems as they finish to keep the plant tidy and encourage a longer display. Cut each stem back to the base once the last flowers on it have gone over.
Cut Back Old Growth
8 Oct – 21 NovAfter hard frost has blackened the leaves, cut the faded foliage to the base during 8th October - 21st November. Leave any green leaves in place until they die back naturally, because they are feeding next year's growth.
Companion Plants
Tap a plant to see why it works (or doesn't) with Crocosmia.
Good companions
Plants to avoid
Why companion planting matters
Companion planting can deter pests, improve pollination, and make better use of space. Some plants confuse pests or attract beneficial insects; others improve soil or offer shade to neighbours that need it.
Suggested Varieties
Popular varieties of Crocosmia to consider
Lucifer
A widely grown crocosmia with bright red flowers and good garden vigour.
Emily McKenzie
Compact, free-flowering with orange blooms marked darker at the centre.
George Davidson
A reliable yellow-flowered cultivar that works well in mixed borders.
Star of the East
Orange-yellow flowers on arching stems, useful for a naturalistic look.
Related Plants
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Basil
Basil is a fragrant, tender herb whose leaves are a staple of summer cooking. Native to tropical regions, basil is treated as an annual in temperate climates like the UK because it cannot tolerate frost. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and can be grown in garden beds or pots for a steady supply of fresh, flavourful leaves throughout the summer.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a hardy winter brassica (cabbage family) that form sturdy, leafy stems often around 60–90cm tall. They produce edible mini-cabbage buds along the stem from autumn through winter. Thanks to their cold tolerance, sprouts remain productive into late winter, and frost actually improves their sweetness.
Calabrese
Calabrese (broccoli) produces a large central head of tightly-packed green buds, followed by smaller side-shoots after the main head is cut. It’s a cool-season brassica crop. Grow it in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil and keep plants watered during dry spells. Harvest the heads while firm, then leave the stem in the ground to allow side-shoots to develop.
Also in nearby towns
See how Crocosmia timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.