Lucifer
A widely grown crocosmia with bright red flowers and good garden vigour.
When to plant Crocosmia in Cambridge
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.
90 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water
Calibrated to Cambridge · last frost ≈ 7 May
| Activity | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant out | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Growing guide
What to do through the growing season
01
Plant Corms
26 Mar to 23 AprPlant corms during 26th March - 23rd April, deep and apart, in firm, well-drained soil. Water in thoroughly straight after planting.
02
Water to Establish
26 Mar to 4 Jun Dates as each sowing reaches this stageKeep the soil evenly moist through 26th March - 4th 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.
03
Deadhead Spent Stems
21 Jun to 19 OctFrom 21st June, 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.
04
Cut Back Old Growth
26 Oct to 23 NovAfter hard frost has blackened the leaves, cut the faded foliage to the base during 26th October - 23rd November. Leave any green leaves in place until they die back naturally, because they are feeding next year's growth.
Suggested varieties
Popular varieties of Crocosmia to consider
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.
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Crocosmia guides by town
See how Crocosmia timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.