CROCOSMIA masonorum Montbretia ____________________________________ Type: Perennial Height: 2-3' (60-90cm) Flowering Time: Summer Flower Colour: Red, orange, yellow ____________________________________ Botanical Classification: Class: Angiospermae (Angiosperms) Subclass: Monocotyledonae (Monocotyledons) Superorder: Liliidae (Lily Superorder) Order: Liliales (Lily Order) Family: Iridaceae (Iris Family) Genus: Crocosmia (Montbretia) Species: masonorum ____________________________________

Crocosmia is better known as the old-fashioned Montbretia, forming dense masses of thick, grassy leaves, with arching spikes of tubular orange flowers in late summer. The flowers are arranged on each side of the wiry stem, looking like orange feathers. Several hybrids have been bred with flowers in all shades of yellow, orange, and red. One of the most well-known is 'Lucifer', with red flowers.

This is a tough plant, growing from corms, and can also self-seed to invasive proportions where it is happy. It is sometimes found in the wild along streams and river banks, and does particularly well in shaded, dampish conditions.

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Harvesting and Growing from Seed:

				Germination: Self sown in my garden
Seed Pod The seed pod is a ball which opens with three parts. Each individual flower produces a seed pod. Seed The seeds are fat reddish segments. There are several seeds in each seedpod. Seedling The seedling has a single grassy leaf.