Scientific Name:
Crocosmia
'Lucifer'
Pronunciation:
kroe-KOZ-mee-uh
Common Name:
Lucifer montbretia
Family Name:
Iridaceae
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves iris-like, 30-60cm long x 2-5cm wide; panicles 90-120cm long with spike-like branching, flowers sessile, 2-4cm wide x 6-7cm high, vibrant red, with a larger top petal, 10-20 pairs per 'spike' opening gradually from base to tips on a purplish rachis.
Habit:
Arching, Spreading, Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical, Vase
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
1.0 - 1.5m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Garden origin (C. masoniorum x C. paniculata)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Attract birds, Attract butterflies, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Dried flower or fruit, Fall interest, Group or mass planting, Mixed shrub border, Perennial border, Specimen plant, Summer interest, Tall background, Waterside planting, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Grass-like
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Lustrous
Colour in Fall:
Green
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acuminate
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Panicle, Floriferous, Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
3
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Red, Dark-red
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
6 tepals
Fruit Type:
Capsule
Fruit Colour:
Green, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct, Nov
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Corms, Rhizomes
Propagation:
Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Medium
Pest Susceptibility:
Mites, Slugs or snails (Disease resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought tolerant)
