Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Norwich Canary'

Water

Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' should be watered thoroughly, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. During the active growing season in spring and summer, you might water approximately once a week, depending on climate conditions, with about 1-2 gallons for outdoor plants or around 16-32 ounces for potted specimens. Decrease watering frequency in the fall and winter when the plant is not actively growing. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases, and instead water directly at the base of the plant.

Light

Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. The best spot for this plant is an area where it will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If grown indoors, place it near a south or west-facing window to ensure it gets enough light. In regions with very hot summers, some afternoon shade is beneficial to prevent leaf scorch.

Temperature

Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' grows best in temperatures between 60°F and 80°F. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 20°F, but should be protected from frost. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, and in colder zones, it may require mulching or a protective layer during winter to survive extreme cold.

Pruning

Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' benefits from pruning to remove spent flowers and to tidy up the plant. Deadhead the faded blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers and cut back the foliage to the ground in late fall or early winter after it has died back. Prune the plants once a year, ideally at the end of the growing season.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. A mix of loam, peat, and sharp sand facilitates good drainage and nutrient retention. Regularly amend the soil with organic compost to ensure it remains rich and conducive to healthy growth.

Repotting

Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' generally does not require frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. Repot only when the clumps become overcrowded, usually every 3 to 4 years, to maintain vigorous growth and prolific flowering.

Humidity & Misting

Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but prefers moderate to high humidity. It is typically grown outdoors where the ambient humidity is sufficient for its needs without the necessity for additional humidity control.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' in a bright spot with some direct sunlight.

• Outdoor

  Plant Montbretia 'Norwich Canary' in a sunny to part shade area.

• Hardiness zone

  5-9 USDA

Life cycle

The Crocosmia 'Norwich Canary' begins its life cycle as a corm, which is an underground storage organ, planted in the spring after the last frost has passed. The corm sprouts and produces long, sword-shaped green leaves, and as the plant matures, flower spikes begin to emerge. In mid to late summer, the plant blooms with vibrant yellow flowers, attracting pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. After pollination, the flowers fade and the plant may produce seed capsules, although propagation is typically more successful through division of corms. As autumn approaches, the foliage dies back and the plant enters dormancy, with the corms remaining underground throughout winter. In the following spring, the cycle repeats as the corms sprout anew, thus continuing the perennial growth cycle of the plant.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• Propogation: The Crocosmia 'Norwich Canary', commonly known as Montbretia, is commonly propagated through the division of corms. The optimal time to propagate Montbretia by division is in the spring, just as the plant emerges from dormancy and the soil begins to warm up. To propagate by division, gardeners should carefully dig up the corms, which are the swollen underground stems resembling bulbs, and gently separate them from the main clump. Each corm should have a portion of the base or root system attached to ensure successful growth. Once separated, replant the corms approximately 3 to 5 inches deep (about 7.5 to 12.5 centimeters) and around 6 to 8 inches apart (15 to 20 centimeters). Water the newly planted corms well to settle the soil around them and kickstart growth. They prefer well-draining soil and a sunny location where they can thrive and multiply for the next blooming season.