Montbretia Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Hoey Joey'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Hot Joey' boasts a radiant and lively appearance that dazzles the eye. This plant is adorned with striking flowers that carry a fiery palette of colors. The blooms have a unique form, resembling slender, funnel-shaped blossoms that flare out at the tips, creating a star-like silhouette. These vivid flowers are typically a rich, warm shade of orange, with hints of red or yellow along the ruffled edges and throat, which adds depth and a sense of drama to their display. Each flower is held aloft on arching stems that emerge from a base of sword-shaped foliage. The leaves are a deep, lush green and form a dense clump that provides a perfect backdrop to the showy blooms. Together, the foliage and stems create an elegant and graceful structure that highlights the beauty of the flowers. When in bloom, the plant becomes a hub of activity for pollinators, with bees and hummingbirds often visiting the nectar-rich flowers. Overall, the Crocosmia 'Hot Joey' exudes a tropical vibrancy, bringing a burst of summer warmth to any garden setting in which it is planted.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars, Fire King
- Common names
  Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Hoey Joey'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Montbretia is generally not considered toxic to humans. However, as with any plant, individual allergic reactions or sensitivities can occur when coming into contact with or ingesting the plant. If such reactions occur, symptoms may include mild gastrointestinal upset. It is always advised to avoid eating any part of ornamental plants due to potential unpredicted effects.
- To pets
  Montbretia is also not specifically listed as toxic to pets. Nonetheless, it is always best to prevent pets from ingesting plants not intended for consumption, as they can cause stomach upset or an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. If a pet does consume Montbretia and shows signs of distress, it is advisable to contact a veterinarian. Symptoms might include vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling if an unusual reaction occurs.
Characteristics
- Life 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
- Attractive Flowers: Crocosmia produces vibrant, trumpet-shaped blooms that add a splash of color to gardens.
- Pollinator Friendly: The blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting local ecosystems.
- Easy to Grow: Montbretia is known for being easy to cultivate and requires minimal care once established.
- Long Blooming Season: It has a long flowering period, usually from midsummer to early fall, providing long-lasting garden interest.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Crocosmia can tolerate periods of drought, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Deer Resistant: The plant is typically resistant to deer, which can be beneficial in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Architectural Form: Its sword-like foliage and arching flower stems provide strong architectural lines in garden design.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers for arrangements, adding both color and elegance to bouquets.
- Low Maintenance: Montbretia does not require much maintenance apart from occasional watering and the removal of old flowers or foliage.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- As a natural pest deterrent: Crocosmia can be planted among vegetable gardens to help deter certain pests thanks to its vibrant flowers that can attract beneficial predators.
- As a dye source: The flowers and leaves may be used in crafting natural dyes, imparting a range of hues to fabrics or paper.
- As an educational tool: Crocosmia is often used in botanical and horticultural educational programs to demonstrate plant hybridization and biodiversity.
- In art and photography: With its bright, fiery flowers, Crocosmia often becomes a subject in botanical art and photography projects, inspiring creativity.
- For improving compost: The leaves can be added to compost piles, where they break down and contribute to rich, fertile compost.
- As erosion control: Planting Crocosmia on slopes can help prevent soil erosion due to its dense root system.
- In biodegradable crafts: Dried flowers and stems can be used to create eco-friendly wreaths and other decorative items.
- For winter bird feed: When flowers turn to seed, they can provide a food source for birds during the late fall and winter.
- In aquascaping: The vivid flowers of Crocosmia can inspire color schemes and aesthetic layouts for aquarium and pond plant designs.
- As an ingredient in potpourri: Dried Crocosmia flowers can add color and a subtle, natural fragrance to homemade potpourri blends.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Crocosmia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Crocosmia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Fire and Passion: Crocosmia, also commonly known as Montbretia, often symbolizes fire and passion due to its vibrant, fiery-hued flowers, which can range from bright yellows to deep reds.
- Vitality and Energy: The bright colors of the Montbretia are also indicative of vitality and energy, representing a life full of enthusiasm and vigor.
- Resilience: Montbretia is a hardy plant that can thrive in various conditions, symbolizing resilience and the ability to adapt and overcome difficult situations.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Montbretia, commonly known as 'Hoey Joey', prefers consistent moisture, especially during its growing season in spring and summer. Aim to water thoroughly once a week, providing the plant with about 1 gallon of water each time to ensure the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering frequency to every other week when the plant is not actively growing in fall and winter. During prolonged dry spells, you may need to water twice a week, but always check the soil moisture level to avoid overwatering.
Light
Montbretia thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for Montbretia is one where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. These plants may tolerate light shade, especially in very hot climates, but flowering is most prolific when they have plenty of sunshine.
Temperature
Montbretia prefers a temperature range where the climate is relatively moderate. It can survive in temperatures as low as 20°F for brief periods but could be damaged by prolonged freezes. The ideal growing temperature for Montbretia ranges between 60°F and 80°F. These plants can tolerate up to 90°F, but excessive heat may stress them, so some afternoon shade is beneficial in hotter regions.
Pruning
Pruning Montbretia involves deadheading spent flowers to encourage further blooming and removing any dead or damaged foliage. This task is best performed during the growing season after flowering has finished, typically in late summer or fall. Cut back the foliage to the ground level in late fall or early winter, after the first frost, to tidy up the plant and prepare it for the next growing season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Montbretia 'Hot Joey' prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A blend of garden soil, compost, and sharp sand or perlite can create an ideal mix for healthy growth.
Repotting
Montbretia 'Hot Joey' generally does not need frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years or when the clumps become overcrowded.
Humidity & Misting
Montbretia 'Hot Joey' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and does well in average outdoor conditions without the need for specific humidity adjustments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Montbretia 'Hot Joey' in bright, indirect light indoors.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun to partial shade with good drainage.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Honey Dew' begins its life cycle as a dormant corm during the winter months. In spring, new shoots emerge from the corm as temperatures rise and days get longer, signaling the start of the growth period. Throughout the spring and into the summer, foliage develops into long, sword-like leaves, and flowering stems rise above the foliage, culminating in vibrant blooms that are typically orange, red, or yellow. After the flowering period, which occurs in late summer to early fall, the flowers are pollinated and develop into seed capsules, although many hybrid cultivars are sterile and do not produce viable seeds. As fall progresses, the plant's above-ground foliage dies back, and the plant re-enters a period of dormancy, conserving energy within the corm. The cycle repeats, with the corm producing new growth again the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Honey Angels', commonly known as Crocosmia, is typically propagated by dividing corms. The optimal time for this is after the plant has finished blooming and has started to die back, which is generally in the late summer or early fall. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the corms and gently separate them by hand, making sure that each new section has at least one growing point. The individual corms can then be replanted in well-drained soil at a depth of about 3 to 5 inches (7.6 to 12.7 cm) and spaced approximately 6 to 8 inches (15.2 to 20.3 cm) apart. The divisions should be watered thoroughly after planting to help establish them. This method is a great way to increase your stock of Crocosmia and rejuvenate older clumps that may not be flowering as vigorously.