Crocosmia 'Hellfire'
montbretia 'Hellfire'
A cormous, clump forming, herbaceous perennial, with a vigorous, but not spreading, growing habit up to 1.2m tall when in flower. It has mid-green, blade-like leaves and arching flower stems that bear an abundance of glowing vermillion-red tubular flowers that have a darker red throat from mid to late summer
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Crocosmia are deciduous cormous perennials with erect, sword-shaped leaves and branched spikes of showy, funnel-shaped flowers in summer
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Corms should be planted in moderately fertile, humus rich soil approximately 10cm deep and 7.5–10cm apart in groups to form clumps. Water if it is a dry season as a lack of water reduces flowering. Has the potential to become a nuisance in some gardens if not managed well
Propagation
Propagate by division in early spring when clumps become congested or Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
No pruning required, except the removal of dead leaves and flower stems before new growth starts in spring
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.