Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Columbus'
ABOUT
The plant known as Crocosmia 'Columbus' boasts an exuberant display that brings a vibrant splash of color to any garden. Bearing breathtaking flowers, it features tightly clustered blooms which are arranged along arching stems, resembling the elegant shape of a sword. The blossoms themselves are a fiery shade, often described as a warm, golden orange, that dazzles under the sunlight and provides a tropical flair. These striking flowers possess a flared funnel shape and are paired with a subtle, charming grace. The foliage of Crocosmia 'Columbus' is equally attractive, and forms a lush backdrop for the showy blossoms. The leaves are sword-like — long and narrow— emanating from the base of the plant in a fan-like fashion. Their deep green hue offers a complementary contrast to the vivacious floral display. As the plant matures, these foliage blades can create a dense, verdant clump, further accentuating the fiery tones of its blooms. Hardy and resilient, this plant can add a touch of the exotic to gardens without requiring complex care. Its long blooming season ensures a lasting performance, making it a favorite among garden enthusiasts looking to inject color and dynamism into their landscapes.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Iridaceae
Synonyms
Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars
Common names
Montbretia 'Columbus'
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Montbretia is not generally considered to be toxic to humans. Therefore, there are no well-documented symptoms of poisoning for this plant. However, it is always advisable to exercise caution as people can have varying sensitivities to plants, and ingesting any non-food plant material can potentially cause adverse reactions in some individuals.
To pets
Montbretia is not typically listed as toxic to pets. This means that it does not usually pose a significant risk of poisoning if pets were to ingest parts of the plant. That being said, pet owners should always monitor their animals and prevent them from eating non-food plants, as individual animals may react differently, and ingestion of non-dietary plant material can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal upset or other digestive issues in pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange
Height
2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Crocosmia 'Columbus' is great for attracting bees and butterflies to the garden, promoting pollination of nearby plants.
- Vibrant Colors: Its bright orange flowers add a splash of color to the garden, enhancing aesthetic appeal.
- Easy to Grow: This cultivar is known for being relatively easy to maintain and grow, making it suitable for a range of gardeners, from beginners to experts.
- Long Blooming Period: It has a long flowering season, from mid-summer to early fall, providing prolonged visual interest.
- Structural Interest: The strong, arching stems and sword-like foliage provide a distinct architectural look to the garden.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is quite tolerant of drought, making it a good choice for water-wise gardening.
- Resistant to Deer: Generally, deer do not prefer to eat Crocosmia, which can be beneficial in areas where deer browsing is an issue.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers, which can be used to create vibrant arrangements for indoor enjoyment.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care beyond the initial planting and occasional watering and feeding, making it a convenient choice for gardeners.
- Multiplication: It can naturally multiply and spread over time, providing more plants to expand the garden or share with fellow garden enthusiasts.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography: The vibrant flowers of Montbretia 'Columbus' attract photographers, making it a popular subject for botanical and garden photography due to their vibrant colors and unique shape.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists may use Montbretia as a muse for paintings, drawings, and textile designs, capturing its fiery hues and graceful form.
- Culinary Garnish: While not widely known for culinary uses, the bold flowers can be used as an edible decoration to add a splash of color to salads and desserts, provided they have been grown away from pesticides and toxins.
- Dye Production: The flowers and leaves of Montbretia may be used in the production of natural dyes for textiles and crafts, although this is not a common practice.
- Educational Tool: Botany students and educators can use Montbretia to study plant morphology, particularly bulbous plants and flowering patterns.
- Garden Wildlife Support: Montbretia attracts pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds, providing an essential service to the garden ecosystem.
- Floral Crafts: The flowers and seed pods can be used in dried flower arrangements and other decorative crafts due to their lasting structure and color.
- Graphic Design: Montbretia's distinct silhouette can be used for graphic design elements in print and digital media, perhaps as part of branding or artistic compositions.
- Feng Shui: Some practitioners of Feng Shui may use Montbretia in garden design to attract positive energy, as its upward-flame-like flowers are thought to add an element of fire to the space.
- Landscape Photography: The dramatic appearance of Montbretia en masse can add visual interest and a focal point in landscape photography, especially gardens and wild settings.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Montbretia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Montbretia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Passion: The vibrant, fiery hues of Crocosmia, also known as Montbretia, often evoke feelings of passion and fervor, making the flower a symbol of intense love or desire.
- Vitality: Montbretia's bright and energetic colors are reflective of life and vitality, symbolizing an invigorating energy or zest for life.
- Endurance: Since Crocosmia are robust and can withstand a variety of conditions once established, they are symbolic of endurance and the ability to overcome challenges.
WaterMontbretia should be watered deeply once a week to ensure the roots receive sufficient moisture, which is particularly important during the blooming season and dry spells. Drench the soil around the plant with approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water, thoroughly soaking it. It's crucial to allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. During the dormant season, in fall and winter, reduce watering to a minimum as the plant requires less water when it's not actively growing.
LightMontbretia thrives in a spot that receives full sun to partial shade. The ideal location would offer at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. However, in areas with very hot summers, some afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent scorching. Ensure the plant is positioned where it can get ample morning light, which is less intense and helps the flowers to achieve the best color and form.
TemperatureMontbretia prefers moderate to warm temperatures and can generally withstand conditions between 50°F and 90°F. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 and can tolerate minimum winter temperatures down to about -20°F. For optimal growth, montbretia enjoys a temperature range of 60°F to 75°F during the growing season.
PruningMontbretia benefits from pruning mainly to remove spent flower stems after blooming, which encourages reblooming and maintains an attractive appearance. Also, it is necessary to cut back foliage in the late fall or early winter after the first frost when the leaves have yellowed and died down. This yearly pruning helps redirect the plant's energy to the roots, promoting vigorous growth for the next season. Prune the dead foliage to ground level to tidy up the plant and prepare it for winter dormancy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Montbretia should be well-draining with a mixture of loam, peat, and sand to facilitate drainage. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from about pH 6 to 7.
RepottingMontbretia typically doesn't need frequent repotting and can be rejuvenated outdoors by dividing every 3-4 years to maintain vigour and flower production.
Humidity & MistingMontbretia thrives in outdoor conditions where it can receive natural humidity; it does not have specific humidity requirements and is quite adaptable to various ambient humidity levels.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, good air circulation, and well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, ensure well-draining soil, and space corms.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleCrocosmia 'Columbus', also known as Montbretia 'Columbus', begins its life cycle when its corms, which are storage organs, are planted in the soil in spring. The corms sprout and develop long, sword-shaped green leaves, followed by the emergence of tall, arching stems adorned with bright, funnel-shaped orange flowers by mid to late summer. After blooming, the flowers are pollinated, leading to the formation of seed capsules if the conditions are right, though cultivation is usually done by dividing the corms. Over time, the flowers fade, and the plant enters a period of dormancy in the fall as the foliage dies back with the first frosts. The corms remain dormant underground through the winter, storing energy for the next growing season. With the return of warmer temperatures in spring, the cycle restarts with the corms producing new growth.
PropogationPropogation time
Late spring
Propogation: The most popular method of propagating Crocosmia 'Columbus', commonly referred to as Montbretia, is by dividing its corms. This is typically done in the spring, just before the growing season starts, or in the autumn after the plant has finished blooming and the foliage has died back. To propagate, you'll need to carefully dig up the clump of corms and gently separate them, making sure that each division has at least one growing point or a piece of the previous year's corm attached. A piece of the corm about 1 inch (2.54 cm) in size with a visible bud is sufficient. The separated corms can then be replanted at the same depth they were previously growing, ensuring that they are spaced about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) apart to provide ample room for growth. Once replanted, they should be watered thoroughly to help establish the new corms.
