Crocosmia 'HELLFIRE'

Crocosmia 'HELLFIRE'
montbretia

SIZE/TYPE	mid-sized perennial
USUAL HEIGHT	0.6-0.8m
USUAL WIDTH	0.5-1m
LEAVES	deciduous broadleaf
COLOUR OF LEAVES	green
FLOWERS	showy
COLOUR OF FLOWERS	red
BLOOMING TIME	July
LOCATION	full sun
USDA zone (lowest)	6 (down to -23°C)
WINTER PROTECTION
FOR ZONE 5+6
FOR ZONE 7
BELONGS TO CATEGORIES	Perennials Summer blooms

Montbretia is a gorgeous perennial of exotic appearance from southern and eastern parts of Africa. In spite of its origin it proved hardy in temperate regions of the world and many varieties can withstand USDA zone 6 winters with occasional swings a few degrees lower. There are over 300 varieties listed and their number keeps on increasing. One wonders how yellow, orange, and red and their combinations can still bring something new.

Hellfire montbretia must be a successor variety to Lucifer. It has large, firm, wide-open flowers of vibrant red with dark red corolla around the yellow throat. A mature clump in full bloom makes a stunning display and everyone passing by want it. Sword-like leaves are rich green and confirm plant's affiliation with iris family. Mature plant in full bloom is about 80-90 cm tall and if placed in full sun it remains erect with only slightly arching inflorescences. Bred by Ken Ridgely.

Montbretia does best in fertile, moist but well drained soil of any pH, preferably in full sun. Winter mulch is not necessary but may help newly transplanted plants to survive the first winter before the corms grow deeper to the soil. Hardy to about -25°C (USDA zone 5b-6)

Last update 21-07-2016

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GLOSSARY

STANDARD QUALITY - Plants of this group are 1st class quality with number of branches and overall density adequate to their size and age, considering they were container grown.
DE LUXE QUALITY - This label guarantees a luxurious quality of manually selected plants that, compared to their height and age, are exceptionally dense and beautiful.
EXTRA - These plants are usually mature and bigger specimens with exceptional overall appearance.
STANDARD (as described in the plant form) means a tree with a trunk of 190-210 cm and a crown at the top, unless specified differently. The commercial size for trees is their girth measured in the height of 1m from ground.
HOBBY - These plants are of the same quality as our standard-quality plants but younger and therefore cheaper.
SHRUB - a woody plant with branches growing bushy from the ground level.
HALF-STANDARD or MINI-STANDARD - a small tree with shorter trunk, its size is usually specified.
FEATHERED - These are trees with branches growing already from the base of the trunk and up along the stem.
GRASSES and PERENNIALS - Sizes given usually read the diameter of the pot or the clump, as specified.