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Crocosmia
Big Impact, Flowering Groundcover
- Charming, Miniature Blooms: Enjoy a carpet of tiny, snapdragon-like flowers in shades of purple-blue, lavender, or white (depending on the cultivar) throughout spring and early summer.
- Incredibly Low-Maintenance: This groundcover is a breeze to care for, requiring minimal watering, fertilizing, or mowing once established. It is perfect for busy gardeners or those with challenging growing conditions.
- Tough and Durable: Mazus reptans is surprisingly resilient. It can tolerate light foot traffic, making it suitable for pathways, between steppingstones, or as a small-scale lawn substitute.
- Fast-Spreading Coverage: Quickly fill in bare spots and create a dense, weed-suppressing mat. It spreads readily by creeping stems that root at the nodes.
- Versatile Groundcover Solution: Ideal for a variety of landscape applications, including rock gardens, borders, edging, containers, and even as a living mulch around shrubs and trees.
- Adaptable to Sun and Shade: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, giving you flexibility in placement. (Note: Flowering will be most profuse in full sun.)
- Attracts Pollinators: The small flowers are attractive to bees and other beneficial insects.
- Deer Resistant: Deer tend not to bother this groundcover.
Site Selection:
- Light: Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day) to partial shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun. In hotter climates (zones 8-9), some afternoon shade is beneficial.
- Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. However, it is adaptable to a range of soil types, including sandy and clay soils, as long as drainage is adequate. Avoid constantly soggy conditions, which can lead to root rot. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal.
- Hardiness Zones: It is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8.
Planting:
- Timing: Spring or early fall is the best time to plant.
- Spacing: Space plants 6-12 inches apart. Closer spacing will result in faster coverage.
- Depth: Plant at the same depth as the plant was growing in its container. The crown of the plant (where the stems meet the roots) should be level with the soil surface.
- Preparation: Dig a hole that is slightly wider and as deep as the root ball.
- Planting: Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole.
- Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with soil, gently firming it around the roots. Water thoroughly after planting.
Watering and Care:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season, to establish a strong root system. Once established, Mazus reptans is relatively drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during dry periods. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
- Mulching: Apply a thin layer of organic mulch (shredded bark, compost) around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Keep the mulch away from the crown of the plant.
- Fertilizing: Generally, not necessary. If growth is slow or foliage is pale, you can apply a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive growth and reduced flowering.
- Weeding: Maintain a weed-free environment, particularly while plants are becoming established.
Pruning and Maintenance:
- Mowing (Optional): If used as a lawn alternative, Mazus reptans can be mowed occasionally on a high setting to maintain a neat appearance. However, mowing is not required.
- Shearing (Optional): After flowering, you can shear back the plants lightly to encourage bushier growth and potentially a second flush of blooms. This is not essential.
- Division (Optional): To propagate or rejuvenate older plants, divide them in spring or early fall. Dig up the clumps and carefully separate them into smaller sections, ensuring each section has roots and shoots. Replant immediately.
Propagation:
- Division: The easiest and most common method. Divide plants in spring or fall.
- Stem Cuttings: Take stem cuttings in spring or early summer. Root them in a moist potting mix or perlite.
- Seeds: Mazus reptans can be grown from seed, but germination can be erratic. Sow seeds indoors in late winter or early spring.
Potential Problems:
- Slugs and snails: These pests can sometimes be a problem, especially in moist, shady conditions. Use organic slug and snail control methods if necessary.
- Root Rot If the soil does not have good drainage, and remains too wet, root rot can occur.
Easy-to-Grow, -Hummingbirds Summer & Fall
Ignite your garden with the vibrant, fiery beauty of Crocosmia! These easy-to-grow perennials offer a spectacular display of trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow, lasting from mid-summer into fall. Beyond their stunning color, Crocosmia provides:
- Long-Lasting Blooms: Enjoy weeks of continuous color as flowers open sequentially along elegant, arching stems.
- Hummingbird & Pollinator Magnet: Attract hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects to your garden. The seedpods provide food for birds.
- Low Maintenance: Drought-tolerant once established and requiring minimal care.
- Versatile Garden Star: Perfect for borders, beds, containers, cut flower arrangements, and naturalized areas.
- Elegant Foliage: Sword-like leaves add texture and interest even when the plant is not blooming.
- Deer-Resistant: A worry-free choice for gardens where deer are a concern.
Crocosmia are wonderfully easy to grow, whether you are starting with corms (bulb-like structures) or potted plants. Here is everything you need to know:
Choosing Your Crocosmia:
- Variety: Select cultivars based on your desired color, height, and hardiness zone. Popular choices include 'Lucifer' (red, hardy to Zone 5), 'Emily McKenzie' (orange), and 'George Davison' (yellow). Consider Kivistik varieties and super early types for zone 7+, and viticella types and texensis varieties for zones 9+.
- Hardiness: Most Crocosmia are hardy in USDA Zones 6-9. In colder zones (below Zone 6), you will need to lift and store the corms over winter.
Planting Time:
- Corms (Bare Root): Plant in spring after the danger of frost has passed.
- Potted Plants: Plant in spring or early fall.
Planting Location:
- Sunlight: Full sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight) is ideal for maximum flowering. In very hot climates, provide some afternoon shade to prevent flower fading.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is essential. Crocosmia tolerates a range of soil types but thrives in fertile, humus-rich soil. Amend heavy clay soils with compost to improve drainage. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Planting Corms (Bare Root):
- Prepare the Soil: Loosen the soil in the planting area and amend with compost or other organic matter.
- Dig Holes: Dig holes 3-5 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart. For a mass planting, space corms closer together (4-6 inches).
- Plant the Corms: Place each corm in a hole with the pointed end facing upwards.
- Cover and Water: Cover the corms with soil and water thoroughly to settle the soil.
Planting Potted Plants:
- Dig a Hole: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the plant.
- Remove from Pot: Gently remove the plant from its container, being careful not to damage the roots.
- Plant: Place the plant in the hole so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with soil, firm gently, and water thoroughly.
Ongoing Care:
- Watering: Water regularly during the growing season, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Once established, Crocosmia are relatively drought-tolerant.
- Fertilizing: A light application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial, especially in poor soils. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch (such as shredded bark or compost) around the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Deadheading: Remove spent flower spikes by gently shaking the stems to encourage continued blooming and prevent self-seeding (if desired).
- Pruning: Allow the foliage to die back naturally after flowering. This allows the plant to store energy for the next year. Cut back the dead foliage to the ground in early spring.
- Dividing: Divide clumps every 3-4 years in early spring to prevent overcrowding, rejuvenate the plants, and propagate new ones. Carefully dig up the clumps and separate the corms.
- Support: For taller varieties or those grown in windy locations, provide support using stakes, grow-through supports, or a mesh cage.
Winter Care (Colder Zones):
- Lifting Corms: In USDA Zones below 6 (and in Zone 6 if you prefer to be cautious), dig up the corms after the foliage has died back in the fall, usually after the first frost.
- Cleaning and Drying: Gently clean off any excess soil and allow the corms to dry for a few days in a well-ventilated area.
- Storage: Store the dried corms in a cool (35-41°F / 2-5°C), dry, and dark place, such as a basement or garage. Place them in a breathable container (e.g., a mesh bag or cardboard box) with peat moss, vermiculite, or sawdust to prevent them from drying out completely.
- Replanting: Replant the corms in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.
Pest and Disease Management:
Crocosmia are generally pest and disease-free. However, watch out for:
- Spider Mites: These tiny pests can be a problem in hot, dry conditions. Dislodge them with a strong spray of water.
- Gladiolus Rust: This fungal disease can cause orange or brown spots on the leaves. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Preventative treatments with sulfur powder or copper spray in early spring can help.
- Bulb/Rhizome Rot: This occurs in poorly drained soil. Ensure good drainage and avoid overwatering.
- Slugs and Snails: Handpick, use barriers, or use a biological control.
By following these simple steps, you will be well on your way to enjoying a vibrant display of Crocosmia in your garden for years to come!
Crocosmia (kroh-koz-mee-uh), also known as Copper-Tip, is a vibrant, late-summer blooming plant from South Africa, belonging to the Iris family (Iridaceae).
- Slender, branching flower spikes burst with brightly colored blooms in late summer, making them excellent for adding splashes of color to the garden and for cut flower arrangements.
- Crocosmia thrives in average, medium moisture soil and tolerates summer heat and humidity.
- Ideal for border plantings, containers, and mass plantings.
- The striking flowers are frequently used in commercial floral arrangements.
- Crocosmia attracts hummingbirds, adding wildlife interest to the garden.