Their dense, lanceolate leaves decorate the summer garden long before flowering and create structure in the perennial bed. When the bright orange flower spikes rise above the foliage, the Montbretie attracts everyone's attention. Find out the best way to care for an exotic ornamental shrub and other practical answers to frequently asked questions here.
What conditions are optimal for the Montbretia?
The Montbretie prefers a sunny location with loose, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. It needs sufficient moisture without waterlogging, regular fertilization and winter protection at temperatures below -10°C.
Planting Montbretie correctly
If the specific planting date is April or May, place the tuber of a Crocosmia in lukewarm water the night before. On the day itself, dig small pits 10 to 20 cm deep at 35 cm intervals in order to create a 2 cm thick layer of sand on the bottom. A handful of compost with horn shavings optimizes the excavated soil. Plant the tuber of a garden Montbretie at least 10 cm, maximum 20 cm deep and water.
A garden Montbretie that has been bought ready-made or grown in a pot yourself also tolerates planting in August/September. In this case, do not plant the young plant any deeper than it was maintained in the container. It is important to note extensive winter protection from leaves and needles, as the ornamental perennial only has limited frost hardiness.read more
Care tips
The Garden Montbretie fulfills all expectations as a majestic ornamental perennial if it is given the following care program:
- Water abundantly and regularly without causing waterlogging
- Fertilize twice per season, in May and July
- Clean up wilted flowers immediately
- Pruning back the faded stems in autumn to just above the foliage
- Only cut off the leaves close to the ground when they are completely absorbed
If the Crocosmia stays in the bed throughout the winter, it cannot get through the cold season without a thick layer of leaves, straw and brushwood. In rough locations, take the tubers out of the ground in the fall after pruning so that they can overwinter in soil and sand in a cool, dark cellar.
Which location is suitable?
The Garden Montbretie prefers a sunny location. Specifically, this requirement implies a bright location that cannot come under the blazing midday sun. In addition, no canopy of leaves casts a shadow on the ornamental shrub. The Crocosmia wants the soil to be nutrient-rich, loose-humus and fresh-moist with good drainage.read more
What soil does the plant need?
The sunnier the location, the wetter the soil should be. The Garden Montbretie does not like to be bothered by waterlogging, whereas nutritious, deeply humus-rich soil is welcomed. If you cultivate a Crocosmia in a bucket, choose a substrate that is as low in peat as possible to ensure long-term water storage.
What is the best time to plant?
The wise choice of planting time contributes significantly to the winter hardiness of a garden Montbretie. Since all Crocosmia in our latitudes are not completely hardy, we recommend spring planting from April to May for tubers. If you prefer the classic planting time of late summer to autumn for the ornamental perennial, it should be an early, potted garden Montbretie.
When is flowering time?
The up to 20 individual flowers along the tightly upright stems unfold their splendor almost all summer long. You can look forward to a flowering period from June/July to August, which in good years extends into September. The more consistently you clean out withered flowers during this time, the more the Crocosmia will reward you with its floral beauty in bright orange, rich red, intense yellow or elegant apricot.read more
Cut Montbretie correctly
Secateurs are used on various occasions when it is important to properly care for the garden Montbretie. The following overview lists all occasions with tips for execution:
- As vase decoration: cut Crocosmia when the lower flowers have just opened
- For a long flowering period: Clean out withered flower spikes regularly
- Preventing seed formation: Cut off spent stems just above the foliage
- Central pruning: Either in autumn or late winter, cut the leaves to just above the ground
Be sure to wait until all the leaves have yellowed before making the main cut. Until then, the tuber will absorb the remaining nutrients in order to create a depot for the next season.
Fertilize Montbretie properly
The Garden Montbretie gratefully accepts starter fertilization in May in the form of compost, horn shavings (€52.00 on Amazon) or guano granules. During the summer flowering period, refresh the nutrient reserves with further fertilization in June/July. If the Crocosmia thrives in the planter, fertilize at the same rhythm with a practical liquid preparation.
Wintering
If a garden Montbretie thrives in a mild winter location, there is a chance of a he althy overwintering. The most important requirement is comprehensive winter protection, because the Crocosmia cannot survive temperatures below -10 degrees Celsius. Leave the foliage on the plant until late winter as it acts as a natural coat. You also pile up a 20 to 30 cm thick layer of leaves on the root disc, which is covered with needle twigs. Put the perennial in the pot in the frost-free, bright winter quarters, where it is watered every now and then so that the root ball does not dry out.
If the garden is in a winter-hard region, treat the crocosmia like the related gladioli. In the fall, cut off the leaves when they are completely gone. Then dig up the tuber and wrap it in newspaper. Alternatively, the garden Montbretie stays in a wooden box filled with soil and sand in the dark, frost-proof cellar.read more
Propagate Montbretie
From the second or third year onwards, the garden Montbretie forms breeding tubers at the base of its underground survival organ. Cut these off from the mother tuber in spring or autumn using a sharp, disinfected knife. Care for these daughter tubers on the warm windowsill in small pots with a mix of potting soil and sand until they have transformed into vital young plants. The rooting progresses extra quickly if you put a transparent hood over each pot until the first shoots appear.read more
How do I transplant correctly?
So that Crocosmia do not suffer from soil fatigue, they should be transplanted every 3 years. To do this, choose a date in spring when the ground has completely thawed. The measure itself is straightforward. The root ball is loosened with the digging fork and then lifted out of the ground with the spade. Now is a good opportunity to cut off daughter tubers for propagation. At the new location, plant the Garden Montbretie 10 to 20 cm deep in the nutrient-rich, loose soil.
Beautiful varieties
- Lucifer: Garden Montbretie in flaming red, whose beauty has won several awards; Growth height 80-120 cm
- Rheingold: The large-flowered Crocosmia impresses with golden yellow flowers and vital growth; Growth height 50-60 cm
- George Davidson: This ornamental perennial stands out with bright orange flowers: height 50-60 cm
- Emily McKenzie: Distinctive variety with orange flowers and a bronze ring in the middle; Growth height up to 75 cm
- Lady Hamilton: A feather-light floral beauty in yellow with an apricot-colored tube in the heart; Growth height 50-60 cm
- Giant Montbretia: Mighty crocosmia that easily reaches a height of 120-150 cm; Support recommended
