Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lady Hamilton'
ABOUT
The Crocosmia 'Lady Hamilton' is a captivating plant with a vibrant and exotic appearance. The hallmark of this plant is its striking flowers, which are characterized by their unique shape and stunning color. Each flower is trumpet-shaped with flared edges, and they are arrayed along gracefully arched stems. These stems rise above the foliage in an elegant display that is reminiscent of old-fashioned gladiolus. The flowers of 'Lady Hamilton' boast a rich, golden yellow hue, often with a warm orange throat that adds depth and a sense of warmth to the overall coloring. This fiery blend of colors creates a vivid display that is sure to draw the eye in any garden setting. Below the blossoms, the plant's foliage forms a lush backdrop of narrow, sword-like leaves that are typically bright green. These leaves emerge in clumps, providing a dense, grassy appearance that is both neat and full-bodied, setting off the dazzling flowers to perfection. Together, the contrast between the flamboyant flowers and the verdant foliage of the Crocosmia 'Lady Hamilton' creates a tropical feel that can add a splash of color and exotic charm to a variety of garden settings. Whether clustered in borders, grouped in beds, or planted as eye-catching accent points, this plant's appearance is always striking and never fails to captivate the attention of onlookers. The visual appeal of the 'Lady Hamilton' is not only due to its individual beauty; when in bloom, it can attract hummingbirds and butterflies, adding movement and additional interest to the garden. With its showy flowers and attractive foliage, the Crocosmia 'Lady Hamilton' is a plant that offers both beauty and utility, ensuring it is a popular choice for those seeking to create a garden with both visual impact and ecological value.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Iridaceae.
Synonyms
Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars, Garden Montbretia.
Common names
Montbretia 'Lady Hamilton'
ToxicityTo humans
Montbretia (Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Lady Hamilton') is not considered highly toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, it could cause negative reactions if ingested in large quantities. Symptoms of ingesting parts of this plant might include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is always advisable for humans to avoid ingesting parts of ornamental plants as they are not meant for consumption and their toxicity can vary based on individual sensitivity.
To pets
Montbretia is not commonly known to be highly toxic to pets either, but caution is still advised. If a pet ingests this plant, they may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. As with humans, plants are not intended for pet consumption, so it is best to prevent pets from ingesting them to avoid any potential adverse effects.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Orange
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
South Africa
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: The vibrant flowers of Crocosmia attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, aiding in pollination and supporting biodiversity.
- Easy to grow: Crocosmia is known for its low maintenance and ease of cultivation, thriving in a variety of soil types and conditions.
- Long blooming period: With a prolonged flowering season throughout the summer, Crocosmia provides a consistent display of color in the garden.
- Drought-resistant: Once established, Crocosmia is quite drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for water-wise landscaping.
- Disease and pest-resistant: This plant generally resists common garden pests and diseases, which reduces the need for chemical treatments.
- Architectural interest: The sword-shaped leaves and tall, arching flower stems add vertical interest and structure to garden beds and borders.
- Cut flowers: Crocosmia blooms make excellent cut flowers, adding color and elegance to floral arrangements.
- Variety of colors: Crocosmia 'Lady Hamilton' offers unique apricot to salmon-colored blooms, providing a warm hue to the garden palette.
- Winter hardiness: This perennial is capable of withstanding winter conditions in many temperate regions, allowing for multi-seasonal interest.
- Companion planting: Crocosmia's vivid flowers can be effectively paired with other perennial plants to create dynamic and harmonious landscape designs.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crocosmia can be used in floral arrangements for their vibrant hues and unique shape, offering a touch of elegance and exotic flair.
- The flower’s sturdy stems make them suitable for crafting natural wreaths and garlands, adding a burst of color to home decor.
- Dried Crocosmia flowers can be used in potpourri to create an aromatic blend that captures the essence of summer gardens.
- Their long blooming period makes Crocosmia an excellent choice for a butterfly garden, attracting pollinators with their brightly colored flowers.
- Some artists use pressed Crocosmia blooms in botanical art, capitalizing on their striking appearance for detailed illustrations and prints.
- With its bright and fiery blooms, Crocosmia often symbolizes passion and ardor, and they can be used in event themes to convey such emotions.
- In photography, the vibrant colors of Crocosmia blossoms serve as an eye-catching subject for macro and nature photography enthusiasts.
- Crocosmia bulbs can be planted to stabilize soil in areas prone to erosion, thanks to their robust root system.
- The plant can be used in educational settings to teach about plant structure, reproduction, and hybridization due to its interesting background.
- Crocosmia's growth habit and leaf structure can provide shelter and breeding grounds for small wildlife within a garden ecosystem.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiMontbretia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityMontbretia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Wild Beauty: Crocosmia, also known as Montbretia, is often associated with wild beauty due to its vibrant, fiery blooms that stand out in any garden setting.
- Passion: The intense red and orange hues of the flowers symbolize strong emotions and passion, reflecting the plant's dramatic appearance.
- Independence: Montbretia can spread easily and grow in various conditions, reflecting a spirit of resilience and independence.
- Resilience: Being a hardy plant that can withstand various climates, Montbretia stands as a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.
WaterMontbretia 'Lady Hamilton' should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. During the growing season in spring and summer, this may amount to approximately 1 gallon of water per plant every week, depending on the climate and soil conditions. Reduce watering in the fall and further in winter when the plant is dormant. It's important to avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of fungal diseases; instead, water at the base of the plant. In extreme heat, you may need to water more frequently to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
LightMontbretia 'Lady Hamilton' thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It should be planted in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, in particularly hot climates, some afternoon shade can help protect the plant from intense, potentially damaging sun exposure.
TemperatureMontbretia 'Lady Hamilton' can tolerate a range of temperatures and is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. It can survive minimum winter temperatures down to around -20 degrees Fahrenheit. In summer, Montbretia prefers temperatures ranging between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages optimal growth and blooming.
PruningMontbretia 'Lady Hamilton' should be pruned to remove spent flowers and enhance blooming; deadhead regularly throughout the blooming period. After the first killing frost in the fall or in late winter, cut the foliage back to the ground. This cleanup will help prevent disease and encourage a tidy growth habit for the following season. Pruning also helps to rejuvenate the plant for a strong showing of flowers in the next year.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMontbretia 'Lady Hamilton' prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. A good mix would be garden soil, compost, and sharp sand to ensure proper drainage and fertility.
RepottingMontbretia 'Lady Hamilton' should be repotted every 2-3 years or when the corms become crowded in their current container, ideally in the spring.
Humidity & MistingMontbretia 'Lady Hamilton' tolerates a wide range of humidity conditions but thrives best with moderate humidity, avoiding excessively dry air.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and maintain moderate humidity.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to part shade in well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleCrocosmia 'Lady Hamilton' begins its life cycle as a corm, a bulb-like storage organ, which sprouts in early spring. As temperatures warm, the corm sends up narrow, sword-shaped leaves and strong, arching stems that eventually bear vibrant, trumpet-shaped orange flowers typically in mid to late summer. After flowering, the plant sets seed in the form of capsules that contain numerous seeds, but propagation in gardens is usually through division of corms. Following blooming, the foliage begins to yellow and die back as the plant enters dormancy in fall or early winter. Throughout the dormant period, the corm survives underground, storing energy for the next growing season. In areas with harsh winters, the corms may need to be lifted and stored before replanting in spring to help the cycle restart.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The Crocosmia 'Lady Hamilton', commonly known as Montbretia, is best propagated through division of its corms. This propagation method is typically done in the spring, after all danger of frost has passed and the soil is workable. To divide the corms, carefully lift the clumps out of the ground using a garden fork. Then, gently separate the corms by hand, ensuring that each divided piece has at least one growth point. Replant the divided corms immediately at a depth of approximately 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 cm) and space them about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) apart to allow for adequate growth. Water the newly planted corms to help establish them. This process stimulates new growth and helps maintain the vigor of the plant.
