When to plant Crocosmia in Manchester

Crocosmia spp.

Crocosmia
Crocosmia · 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

Add to garden

Calibrated to Manchester · last frost ≈ 17 Apr

Plant out March to April. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Plant Corms

    6 Mar to 3 Apr

    Plant corms during 6th March - 3rd April, deep and apart, in firm, well-drained soil. Water in thoroughly straight after planting.

  2. 02

    Water to Establish

    6 Mar to 15 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Keep the soil evenly moist through 6th March - 15th May 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.

  3. 03

    Deadhead Spent Stems

    1 Jun to 8 Nov

    From 1st 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.

  4. 04

    Cut Back Old Growth

    15 Nov to 13 Dec

    After hard frost has blackened the leaves, cut the faded foliage to the base during 15th November - 13th December. 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

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.

Crocosmia guides by town

See how Crocosmia timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.