Content
Crocosmia is an ornamental plant with beautiful clusters of flowers and a subtle saffron aroma. Even novice gardeners will be able to plant and care for montbretia in the open ground.
Description of colors
The word "crocosmia" translated from Greek means "saffron aroma." The plant was given this name for the subtle smell of spices that dried flowers emit. The culture received the name “Montbretia” in honor of the French botanist Antoine de Montbret.And for its external resemblance to gladiolus, which is clearly visible in the photo of the Montbrecia flower, it is called Japanese gladiolus.
Montbrecia will be a good decoration for your garden plot
The birthplace of crocosmia is South Africa. In Russia, the flower appeared in the 19th century and has since been used in the landscape design of urban recreation areas and private garden plots.
Montbrecia is a perennial plant of the iris family with a thin, erect stem reaching 1 m in height and linear sword-shaped leaves with a deep longitudinal groove in the middle. The color of the leaf blade is light green.
On the tall and strong peduncles of perennial crocosmia, as can be seen in the photo, there are dense paniculate or spike-shaped inflorescences, consisting of several funnel-shaped flowers of yellow, red or orange hue. Montbrecia is characterized by alternate blooming of buds, which makes it possible to increase the flowering period and maintain its decorative effect until autumn.
There are about a dozen buds on one peduncle
The root system of Montbrecia is tuberous and consists of several corms covered with brown membranes. After flowering, fairly large brownish-red seeds ripen in a rounded seed capsule.
Crocosmia grown from seeds blooms in the 3rd year of life, from children - in the 2nd, and from bulbs - already in the first summer. In central Russia, the flowering period of an adult plant begins in July and lasts about 2 months. In the southern regions, where Montbrecia is not dug up for the winter, the first flowers can be seen in June.
The closest relatives of crocosmia are: iris, freesia, crocus, gladiolus and ferraria.
Types and varieties of Montbrecia
There are about 60 species of Montbrecia in the wild. However, not all are used in culture.
Golden crocosmia (Crokosmia aurea)
This is the first species with which all the experiments of breeders began. Golden montbretia got its name for its bright yellow or orange flowers about 5 cm in size. The leaf blades, like all representatives of the iris family, are narrow sword-shaped. The flowering period lasts from July to September. Montbrecia loves light, but can also grow in diffuse shade. Does not winter in the middle zone.
Golden montbrecia owes its name to its bright yellow flowers.
Crocosmia masoniorum
A low plant (about 80 cm) with yellow, bright orange or red flowers and ribbed sword-shaped leaves. This montbretia has relatively good frost resistance and is suitable for cultivation in regions with cool winters. Blooms in July-September.
Massonorum will delight you with its flowers for 2 months
Crocosmia paniculate
An early species that begins to bloom in June. Externally, as can be seen in the photo of crocosmia flowers, Paniculata resembles other representatives of the species: orange flowers, long green leaves.
Crocosmia paniculata is characterized by drooping flowers.
Crocosmia pottsii
This species is characterized by the narrowest leaves of all montbretia and the smallest flowers of an orange or yellow hue. Blooms in July-September. Loves light, but can also develop in diffuse shade.
Thin, graceful leaves of Crocosmia pottsa are combined with beautiful orange flowers.
Common crocosmia (Crokosmia crjkosmiflora) or garden montbretia
The height of the common montbretia bush is about 1 m. The leaves are thin, sword-shaped, about 5 cm wide. On erect peduncles there are panicles of yellow, orange or red flowers.They bloom in late June or early September. Montbrecia vulgaris became the originator of several varieties.
Crocosmia vulgaris can have flowers of different shades
Lucifer
This variety of Montbrecia is rightfully recognized as one of the most beautiful. Tall (about 1.5 m) peduncles are topped with bright blood-red inflorescences, which stand out against the background of light green leaves. The variety survives cool weather well, which makes it possible to grow it in areas with cold winters. This crocosmia takes root well in the Moscow region.
Lucifer will be a bright spot in the garden
Emily McKenzie
A low-growing montbretia, about 60 cm high. The flowers are showy, orange, with a darker spot in the center of the flower basket. Used in group compositions for decorating personal plots. Montbrecia blooms for 2 months, starting at the end of July.
Emily Mackenzie stands out against the background of other colors
Star of the East
A beautiful large-flowered variety, about 1 m high. The flowers are bright orange, the size of the flower basket is 10 cm. The variety is late, the flowering period is August-October. The Star of the East does not have good frost resistance, so this montbretia is dug up or covered for the winter.
The Eastern Star has the largest flowers among all representatives of the species
Red King
A lush bush with long sword-shaped leaves and beautiful red flowers with a lighter center. Blooms for 2 months, starting in July.
Lush flowers of Crocosmia Red King live up to its name
Montbrezia in landscape design
Montbrecia is used to decorate flower beds, alpine slides and ridges. Crocosmia looks good in the garden, as can be seen in the photo.The plant stands out favorably both in individual plantings and in group compositions. Montbrecia tapeworm is planted against the backdrop of a mowed lawn. Other representatives of the iris family will be suitable neighbors in group plantings.
Seeds can be collected after Montbretia blooms.
Montbrecia flowers do not fade for a long time when cut and even when dry they retain their decorative properties, so they are well suited for bouquets and ikebana.
Features of reproduction
There are 2 known methods of propagating Montbretia: by seeds and bulbs (the method of dividing the rhizome).
The first method is used when crocosmia is not yet growing on the site. Seeds are sown in a container for seedlings and then planted in open ground.
Reproduction of montbretia by dividing the rhizome is considered less labor-intensive and more effective.
Seeds can be collected after Montbretia blooms.
Planting and caring for Montbrecia seedlings
Crocosmia is an unpretentious crop. Planting and caring for a montbretia flower is not particularly difficult.
When to plant Montbrecia seeds
Seeds for seedlings are sown in late February or early March. It is advisable to germinate them before planting them in a container.
Preparing containers and soil
To plant seeds for seedlings, it is ideal to use individual containers. If this is not possible, the seeds are planted in one large container.
You can buy ready-made soil for Montbrecia seedlings or make it yourself by combining garden soil, peat, sand and compost in equal parts.
You can use a container with cells
Landing algorithm
During the process of planting Montbrecia seed material:
- fill the container with soil mixture;
- plant the seeds, deepening them to 1 cm, evenly moisten the soil;
- Cover the container with film and leave it in a well-lit place.
The film is removed after germination.
Seedling care
The procedure for caring for Montbretia seedlings is identical to caring for other flowering crops and includes:
- watering, which is carried out as the soil dries;
- loosening - the soil is periodically carefully loosened.
After the appearance of the 3rd leaf, plants grown in a common container are planted in individual containers.
Approximately 2 weeks before planting in open ground, seedlings begin to harden, gradually increasing the time spent in the air.
Hardened seedlings adapt faster in open ground
Planting and caring for crocosmia in open ground
The rules for planting montbretia are almost the same as for all representatives of the iris family. Crocosmia is unpretentious in cultivation, but still requires regular care.
Recommended timing
Montbretia seedlings are planted in open soil when it warms up to 10 °C and the threat of spring frosts is left behind. This is around the beginning of May.
At the same time, it is recommended to plant bulbous material.
Site selection and soil preparation
Crocosmia is a light-loving plant, so you should choose an open and well-lit area for its cultivation. Lack of heat and sunlight may not have the best effect on the flowering of montbretia. An area with close groundwater is also not suitable for this plant.
It is better to choose light, permeable soil for crocosmia. Ideally, prepare it in the fall - dig it up and add organic fertilizers at the rate of 2 buckets per 1 square meter. m.At the beginning of spring, before planting, the soil is loosened again and nitrogen-containing fertilizers are added.
The area for growing crocosmia should be protected from the wind
Landing rules
Algorithm for planting seedlings:
- make holes and water them;
- the seedlings are placed in the center of the hole along with a ball of earth and covered with soil;
- the soil in the root zone is mulched with dry sawdust or chopped grass without seeds.
Crocosmia bulbs are planted in the same way, burying them 5-7 cm into the ground. Before planting, it is recommended to soak the corms in a solution of weak potassium permanganate for 2 hours.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
For normal development and full flowering, Montbrecia requires:
- Regular watering. Montbrezia is a moisture-loving plant, but you shouldn’t overdo it. In the first days, crocosmia seedlings are watered every day. When the seedlings are strong enough, they are watered once every 7 days.
- Feeding. In the spring, montbretia is fertilized with nitrogen-containing compounds to accelerate growth. In summer, organic fertilizers and complex fertilizers with potassium are added to the soil for flowering.
- Garter. During flowering, tall species of Montbretia need a garter. This will improve their decorative effect.
Weeding and loosening
The list of rules for caring for Montbrecia includes the removal of weeds and loosening of the soil. Weeds are removed as they appear, and the soil is loosened after the next watering.
It is not necessary to loosen mulched soil
Preparing for winter
Montbrezia is afraid of frost, so you should take care of its wintering.Towards mid-October, the above-ground part of the plant is cut off and the rhizome is dug up.
Bulbs removed from the ground should be stored in a cool, dry (approximately + 10 ° C) room.
In areas with mild winters, crocosmia may not be dug up, but covered with a layer of mulch or spruce branches.
The bulbs are dried before storing
Diseases and pests
Montbrecia is resistant to many diseases inherent in flowering plants. However, sometimes you have to deal with such troubles as:
- Fusarium. This disease is characterized by yellowing and subsequent death of leaf blades. Flowers also become deformed and dry out. The disease can be cured only at an early stage of development. To do this, the plant is treated with fungicides.
Fusarium can lead to the death of a flower
- Gray rot. The disease can be identified by the appearance of a fluffy gray coating on parts of the plant. During the treatment process, the affected fragments are removed, and healthy ones are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate to prevent the spread of infection.
Gray mold is easier to prevent than to cure
Montbretia also has other enemies:
- Medvedka. This is a large insect that feeds on plant roots, in this case crocosmia bulbs. To combat mole crickets, insecticidal preparations are used. Another option for pest control is traps. To do this, closer to winter, in the area where mole crickets are supposed to live, they dig a small hole and fill it with manure. After some time, the trap is dug up. All that remains is to destroy the pests that have settled there.
By destroying the root system, the mole cricket destroys the flower
- Thrips. These are small insects that feed on the sap of Montbrecia. The result of their activity is discolored spots and stripes on the vegetative parts of crocosmia. After some time, the leaves fall off, the stems become deformed, and the montbrecia loses its decorative effect. You can rid the plant of pests using insecticides - Confidor, Actellica, etc.
Light stripes indicate the presence of thrips
Conclusion
Planting and caring for montbretia in open ground is not particularly difficult. An unpretentious and beautiful crocosmia can become a decoration for your garden plot.
