Xref: kermit uk.rec.gardening:205306

On Sun, 16 May 2004 at 09:40:42 Frogleg wrote:

On Sat, 15 May 2004 02:32:42 +0100, "andrewpreece"
wrote:

I have bitten the bullet and dived into the overgrown corners of my garden
and started turfing out the spanish bluebells, where I also found clumps of
Crocosmia which were very congested and hardly flowering at all. After
digging up the clumps I find that the oldest ones have 17 corms stacked one
on top of the other. Presuming these are laid down annually that's 17
summers without clumps being touched! No wonder they didn't flower well.

The books recommend no more than three years betwen dividing clumps.
I've knocked off the excess corms and replanted but I imagine that I'll not
get a display this year, it being rather late to do this kind of thing.

I had no idea! A neighbor gave me one plant several years ago and I
was entranced -- such a vivid color and delicate flowers. I was
thrilled to have a few more emerge the next year, and sad when I
accidently pulled one up weeding (the young foliage looks too much
like big grass). This year -- good grief! Could *all* those tall
blades growing through the Vinca infestation be Crocosmia?! It seems
so. I'm really looking forward to the display.

Indeed! Crocosmia give a marvellous display when in flower; but they
are otherwise boring or even downright unattractive soon after
flowering. They are certainly invasive and not very suitable for a
low-maintenance garden! I try not to exterminate mine; just leave one
or two small clumps, but it's not always easy to keep under control
unless you have lots of time on your hand.
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