Montbretia Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Honey Angels'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Honey Angels' showcases a vibrant and eye-catching aesthetic, with its unique flowering character and appealing foliage. This variety is adorned with elegantly arched stems that support a series of intricate blooms. The flowers exude a warm, honey-yellow hue, and they are trumpet-shaped, with a slightly flared and ruffled look. These blossoms are intricately arranged along the stem in a descending pattern, resembling an alluring cascade of color that catches the eye and invites closer inspection. The plant's foliage is long, sword-like, and a rich green in color, creating a striking contrast to the golden tones of the flowers. The leaves sprout from the base of the plant in a dense clump, arching gracefully and adding to the overall texture and fullness of the plant’s appearance. The striking quality of 'Honey Angels' makes it a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of warm color and delicate form to their landscape. Its lively display of flowers coupled with the lush foliage provides an exotic and tropical flair to gardens in regions where it thrives.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars
- Common names
  Montbretia 'Honey Angels'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Montbretia 'Honey Angels' is not considered toxic to humans. There are no well-documented cases of poisoning from montbretia, and it is generally regarded as safe. Therefore, if ingested, it's unlikely that there would be any toxic consequences.
- To pets
  Montbretia 'Honey Angels' is also not known to be toxic to pets. This plant is not listed among those commonly recognized as toxic to cats, dogs, or other animals. Consequently, if a pet were to ingest parts of this plant, they are unlikely to experience symptoms of poisoning or serious health consequences as a result. However, ingestion of any plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in some pets, so it’s advised to monitor your pet and consult with a veterinarian if any unusual symptoms occur.
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
  Hybrid

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts pollinators: 'Honey Angels' draws in bees and butterflies, which are essential for the pollination of many plants.
- Easy to grow: This variety is known for being low-maintenance, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Long blooming period: It offers a lengthy flowering season, providing color in the garden for an extended time.
- Drought-tolerant: Once established, it has a good tolerance for dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Deer-resistant: It is not a preferred food source for deer, which can help to prevent damage to the plant in areas where deer are common.
- Ornamental value: With its vibrant flowers and attractive foliage, it enhances the aesthetic appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Versatile: 'Honey Angels' can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, containers, and as cut flowers in arrangements.
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
- Montbretia 'Honey Angels' bulbs can be used to make a natural dye for fabrics, providing a range of colors depending on the mordant used.
- The dried seed pods of Montbretia 'Honey Angels' can be used in floral arrangements, adding an exotic touch and interesting texture.
- The plant's robust foliage can be woven into small baskets or decorative items when dried, demonstrating its versatility in crafting.
- Petals of Montbretia 'Honey Angels' can be pressed and included in personalized stationery or bookmarks for a distinct floral accent.
- Montbretia 'Honey Angels' can act as a natural pest deterrent when planted in a garden, repelling certain insects with its foliage.
- The flowers can be used to create colorful ice cubes for decorative cocktails or punches, enhancing their visual appeal.
- The rigid leaves can be used as natural skewers for fruit kebabs or small appetizers, adding a garden theme to the presentation of dishes.
- Mature seed pods can be used as biodegradable fillers in packing materials, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic options.
- Montbretia 'Honey Angels' can be used in art installations, where the bright flowers can add a bold splash of color in large-scale outdoor displays.
- The strong stems of Montbretia 'Honey Angels' can serve as natural supports for other, more delicate plants in a mixed border or container garden.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Crocosmia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Crocosmia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Passion: As a member of the iris family, Crocosmia often represents feelings of love and passion due to its fiery red and orange hues, which resemble the flames of desire.
- Confidence: The bright and bold colors of Crocosmia 'Honey Angels' exude a sense of confidence and positive energy, making them a symbol of self-assurance and pride.
- Vitality: The plant's vigorous growth and lively flowers convey vitality and the liveliness of nature, often used to encourage someone to embrace life or celebrate their energy and enthusiasm.
- Endurance: Crocosmia are hardy plants that can endure various conditions; hence, they symbolize endurance and the ability to withstand life's challenges.
- Remembrance: In some cultures, Crocosmia is a flower that is associated with remembrance, used to honor memories of loved ones and ensure they are not forgotten.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Montbretia 'Honey Angels' prefers consistent moisture, especially during its growing season in spring and summer. It should be watered when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, approximately once a week. Apply water directly to the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases. During hot, dry spells, watering may need to be increased to twice a week. Each watering, provide an inch of water, which generally equates to about 0.5 gallons per square foot over a week.
Light
Montbretia 'Honey Angels' thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. It prefers a spot that receives at least six hours of sunlight a day. However, in very hot climates, some afternoon shade will help protect it from the intense heat. The ideal location would offer morning sunlight and dappled shade in the peak heat of the afternoon.
Temperature
Montbretia 'Honey Angels' is hardy in temperatures ranging from about 5°F to 90°F. The ideal growing temperature for this plant is between 60°F and 75°F. It is winter hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 but may need mulch for protection against freezing temperatures in the lower end of this range.
Pruning
Montbretia 'Honey Angels' benefits from pruning to remove dead or faded flower spikes and to promote continued blooming. Pruning should be done after flowering has ceased, usually in late summer or early fall. Cut the spent flower stalks down to the ground and remove any damaged or yellowing leaves. This process also tidies the plant and prepares it for new growth in the following season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Montbretia prefers well-draining soil with a pH range of 6 to 7. A mix of loamy soil, peat, and sand enhances drainage. Ensure organic matter is added to enrich the soil.
Repotting
Montbretia does not need frequent repotting as it thrives on being slightly root-bound. Repot every 3 to 4 years to refresh the soil or divide the corms.
Humidity & Misting
Montbretia can adapt to average outdoor humidity levels; however, it does not require specific humidity conditions when grown in gardens or wild landscapes.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, and keep soil moist in a well-draining pot.
- Outdoor
  Full sun to part shade, in rich, well-drained soil, and moderate water.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Crocosmia 'Honey Angels', commonly known as Montbretia 'Honey Angels', begins its life cycle when a corm, a bulb-like storage organ, is planted in the ground in early spring. The corm sprouts and develops into a clump of sword-shaped leaves, followed by the growth of flower stems bearing loose spikes of funnel-shaped, orange to yellow flowers throughout the summer. After blooming, the plant sets seed, which can be collected for propagation, although many gardeners prefer division of the corms for maintaining cultivar traits. As winter approaches, the foliage dies back, and the plant goes dormant, with the corms surviving underground. In areas with harsh winters, corms may need to be lifted and stored before replanting the next season. The cycle resumes the following spring when corms are replanted or naturally re-sprout to start the process anew.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- The most popular method of propagating Montbretia 'Honey Angels' is by division of its corms. The best time for this is in the spring just before growth begins or in the fall after the foliage has died back. Begin by gently digging up the corms and clearing away the soil. You'll likely find clusters of corms, which can be separated by snapping off the smaller corms from the base of the larger, mature ones. It is essential to make sure each newly divided corm has at least one growing point. Replant the corms immediately at a depth of approximately 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 centimeters), spacing them about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) apart, to ensure they have enough space to grow. Properly spaced and planted, these corms will then develop into new plants and bloom in the following seasons.