Montbretia Crocosmia 'Okavango'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Crocosmia 'Okavango' is a striking perennial plant known for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in a brilliant shade ranging from orange to salmon. The individual blossoms are arranged in a graceful, arching manner along the length of the stem, creating a cascading effect. The plant features long, sword-like green leaves that add to its vertical interest, providing a contrasting backdrop to the fiery blooms. The foliage tends to be dense, with leaves emerging from a corm at the base, which allows for a lush, full appearance overall. The blossoms of Crocosmia 'Okavango' have a flared form and are known to attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees, making it not only appealing to gardeners but also beneficial to the surrounding ecosystem.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars
- Common names
  Crocosmia 'Okavango'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant known as montbretia is not typically considered toxic to humans. There is little information suggesting that ingestion of montbretia causes any significant toxic effect in humans. However, it's always prudent to prevent ingestion of any plant parts if the plant is not known to be edible, as individual reactions can vary, and some people may have sensitivities or allergic reactions to non-toxic plants.
- To pets
  Montbretia is not commonly listed as a toxic plant to pets such as dogs and cats. It is unlikely that ingestion of montbretia will cause significant symptoms of poisoning in pets. Nevertheless, as with any non-food plant, ingestion should be discouraged, and care should be taken to monitor pets, as individual animals may have different sensitivities or allergic reactions. If there are any concerns following ingestion, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life 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
- Attractive Flowers: Crocosmia 'Okavango' produces vibrant orange blooms that add a splash of color to the garden during summer.
- Long Blooming Period: It has an extended blooming period, ensuring a colorful display for weeks.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is low-maintenance, adaptable to a range of soil types, and does not require complex care.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers are known for attracting hummingbirds and beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, Crocosmia 'Okavango' can tolerate periods of drought, making it suitable for water-wise gardens.
- Architectural Interest: The sword-shaped foliage and arching flower stems provide structural interest to garden design.
- Good Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers, adding color and drama to floral arrangements.
- Hardy: It is a hardy plant that can survive in a range of climates with little winter protection in many areas.
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
- Crocosmia 'Okavango' can be used in floral art and ikebana due to its striking, arching sprays of vibrant flowers and buds that add exotic flair and verticality to arrangements.
- The sturdy, upright foliage provides architectural interest in garden design, complementing other plants with contrasting forms and textures.
- Dried seed heads of the Crocosmia 'Okavango' can be used for winter displays, adding a rustic and natural element to indoor decorations.
- Photographers and painters often use the vivid blooms as a subject, capturing the intense colors and distinctive shapes that are emblematic of summer gardens.
- They serve as a lure in the garden to attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds, which play an essential role in the ecosystem by assisting in plant pollination.
- Crocosmia 'Okavango' can be used as a natural boundary or screen due to its dense clumping habit, providing privacy without the use of fences or artificial barriers.
- The plant can be utilized in garden competitions and shows for its superior ornamental qualities and ability to stand out in a competitive display.
- Educational tools for botany and gardening classes often include Crocosmia 'Okavango' for students to study bulb propagation and monocot characteristics.
- Crocosmia 'Okavango' bulbs can be traded among garden enthusiasts as part of gardening clubs and societies, fostering community and sharing of horticultural knowledge.
- It can be incorporated into wildlife gardens designed to support local species by providing nectar sources during the flowering season.

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
- Attraction and Lust: Crocosmia, also known as falling stars or coppertips, often represents attraction and lust because of its fiery red flowers that resemble the flames of passion.
- Vitality: The vibrant and lively colors of the Crocosmia blooms convey a sense of vitality and energy, symbolizing an invigorating spirit and zest for life.
- Endurance: Crocosmia is a hardy plant that can withstand various conditions, embodying endurance and the ability to persevere through challenges.

💧

Every 2-3 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to early summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Montbretia, commonly referred to as Crocosmia 'Okavango', should be watered deeply to ensure that the water reaches the roots, typically about 1 inch of water per week is recommended. During the growing season in spring and summer, you might need to water two to three times a week, especially if the weather is particularly dry or hot. However, reduce watering in the fall as the plant begins to go dormant. Always check the soil moisture before watering; the top layer should be slightly dry to the touch but the soil beneath should remain moist.
Light
Montbretia thrives best in full sunlight, where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. This supports vibrant flowering and healthy growth. However, if you live in a particularly hot climate, it may benefit from partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Temperature
The Montbretia can tolerate a range of temperatures but performs best in environments that mimic its native habitat. It can survive minimum winter temperatures of about 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. During its growth season, Montbretia appreciates temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages robust growth and flowering. The plant may suffer or fail to thrive if the temperature dips below 20 degrees Fahrenheit or soars above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods.
Pruning
Montbretia should be pruned to remove dead or faded flowers and to tidy up the plant after flowering has finished, usually in late summer or early fall. This not only promotes a neater appearance but can also encourage a second flush of blooms. Additionally, cut back foliage to ground level in late fall or early winter after the first frost has killed off the leaves. Pruning at this time helps to prevent disease and makes way for new growth in the spring.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Crocosmia 'Okavango' prefers well-draining soil with a mixture of loam, peat, and sharp sand to ensure proper moisture balance and aeration. The ideal soil pH for this Montbretia should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.
Repotting
Montbretia 'Okavango' does not need frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years or when the clumps become overcrowded, typically in spring before new growth starts.
Humidity & Misting
Montbretia 'Okavango' thrives in average humidity conditions and does not have specific humidity requirements; ambient outdoor or indoor humidity is generally suitable for this hardy perennial.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright indirect light and keep soil moist.
- Outdoor
  Full sun to partial shade; protect from severe frost.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Crocosmia 'Okavango', commonly known as Okavango montbretia, begins its life cycle as a dormant corm, which sprouts in late spring to early summer, producing linear, lance-shaped leaves. In midsummer to early fall, stems develop, atop which bloom funnel-shaped, reddish-orange flowers arranged in a branched, loose spike. After flowering, the plant sets seed, though in cultivation, plants are often propagated vegetatively by splitting the corms. Post flowering, the foliage begins to die back as the plant enters dormancy in late fall, with the corm surviving underground through the winter. In the subsequent spring, the cycle repeats with the corm generating new growth, and the plant continues to spread, often forming dense clumps over time. This perennial growth cycle allows the Okavango montbretia to reemerge each year, showcasing its vibrant blooms and lush foliage.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to early summer
- Crocosmia 'Okavango', commonly known as montbretia, is typically propagated by dividing its corms. The ideal time for this process is in spring, just before the new growth begins. To propagate through division, one should carefully lift the established clumps after foliage has died back and gently separate the corms. Each corm should have some roots and one or more growing points. These individual corms can then be replanted immediately at a depth of about 3 to 5 inches (7.5 to 12.7 cm) and spaced approximately 6 to 8 inches (15.2 to 20.3 cm) apart. It's important to choose healthy, disease-free corms for the best chance at successful propagation and future blooming.