Lucifer is one of the hardiest crocosmias, bringing a tropical look to northern gardens. From midsummer into late summer, rows of brilliant flame-red flowers line wiry, arching stems that are excellent for cutting.
The broad, sword-shaped leaves add a bold, spiky texture even when the plant is not blooming. Clumps reach 3 to 3.5 feet tall, and hummingbirds come often. Plant it in groups toward the middle or back of a sunny border.
What it looks like
An upright, fan-like clump about 36 to 42 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. Leaves are long, broad, sword-shaped and pleated lengthwise, bright medium green, 2 to 3 feet tall and about an inch wide. Wiry flower stems rise above the leaves and arch outward at the top, each carrying a zigzag row of upward-facing, funnel-shaped flowers about 1.5 inches long in brilliant flame red with slightly flared tips. At peak bloom dozens of red, arching sprays hover over the green fans of foliage.
Growing it with lavender
It likes full sun and drainage like lavender, and its flame-red arching sprays make a hot, spiky contrast behind lavender in midsummer, though it appreciates a bit more water.
Care
Plant corms 3 to 6 inches deep in full sun and average, well-drained soil, and water during dry spells in summer. Hardy in zones 5-9; in zone 5 add a layer of mulch over winter and avoid spots that stay wet. Divide crowded clumps in spring every few years.
At a glance
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Botanical name: Crocosmia
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Flower color: Brilliant flame red
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Foliage: Bright medium green
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Growth habit: Upright, fan-like clump
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Mature size: 36–42 in tall × 12–18 in wide
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USDA hardiness zones: 5–9
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Light: full sun
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Bloom start: Mid-July
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Peak bloom: Early-August
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Bloom pattern: Long Blooming
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Deer resistance: Moderately resistant
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Pollinator value: Good
Sizes and shipping
Dormant bare-root plant, sold in boxes of 25 per variety (order in multiples of 25). Bare-root plants ship or are picked up March 1–May 31 only. They are soil-free, so they may ship to every state in that window. Dormant plants often show little or no top growth on arrival; plant or heel them in promptly. Arrives as dormant corms; plant them 3 to 4 inches deep after your last hard frost.
Shipping note: Best planted in spring; fall-planted corms may not settle in before a zone 5 winter.
Lavender companion · grow guide
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