"Vox Humana" wrote in message
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"madgardener" wrote in message
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They're perennial in zone 7 here in Eastern Tennessee. I have the
Montbretia, the orangey-yellow one, and Lucifer, the red one.

It seems from my reading that "montbretia" is the common name for all
crocosmia.

Actually, at one point in time, Montbretia was the name of the genus, but it
is now generally applied specifically to the species Crocosmia masoniorum,
which has smaller flowers than most of the newer hybrids and is an
orangey-yellow in color.

There are many hybrid forms available with colors ranging from dark red
through oranges, apricots to bright canary yellow and some with contrasting
throat colors - even bicolors. A range of sizes (both plant height and
flower size) and foliage colors as well.

Crocosmias should be planted deep to avoid leaning or drooping, specially as
the newer corms emerge from the top of the old, effectively 'lifting' the
plant over time. Very fertile, loose soil that remains evenly moist is also
suggested for maximum performance - these are not exactly xeriscape plants.

FYI, the August 2004 issue of "Horticulture" has an excellent article on
Crocosmias written by Dan Hinkley of Heronswood Nursery.

pam - gardengal