Crocosmia × crocosmioides 'Castle Ward Late'
montbretia 'Castle Ward Late'
A cormous, clump forming, herbaceous perennial, with an upright growing habit up to 1.1m tall when in flower. It has mid-green, blade-like leaves and arching flower stems that bear an abundance of downward-facing, reddish-orange, starry flowers with reflexed petals from late summer to autumn. The flowers float above the foliage giving a light and graceful appearance. It grows well in shade
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 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 | Orange Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Orange Red | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical 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. This species is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act as an invasive, non-native species. While this does not prevent it or its cultivars from being sold in the UK, or from being grown in gardens, the RHS encourages those that do grow it to take great care with managing it and with disposing of unwanted material to ensure that it does not spread outside of the garden.
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
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Flower borders and beds
- Banks and slopes
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
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