Montbretia Crocosmia 'Prince of Orange'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Crocosmia 'Prince of Orange' is a striking flowering perennial known for its vibrant and showy blossoms. The plant features sprays of flower spikes, each adorned with numerous closely-set tubular blooms. These flowers boast a fiery gradient of colors that transition from a warm, burnt orange at the base to a lighter, almost golden-orange at the tips, reminiscent of a sunset. The outward-facing blossoms curve gracefully along the flowering stalks, which are held aloft above the plant's foliage, creating a visually arresting display that seems to dance with color and movement as the breeze catches them. The leaves of the 'Prince of Orange' are sword-shaped, forming an attractive clump of arching, pleated greenery. These long, linear leaves have a fresh green color that provides a contrasting backdrop, enhancing the brilliance of the orange blooms. The plant tends to form a dense clump, with the foliage serving as a lush base from which the flower spikes emerge. In the garden, Crocosmia 'Prince of Orange' adds a tropical flair and an explosion of color, often becoming a focal point during its peak blooming period. Its dramatic plumes of flowers not only radiate with vivid color but also attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees, adding dynamic life to the plant's presence.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars
- Common names
  Montbretia 'Prince of Orange', Tritonia 'Prince of Orange'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Montbretia is not generally considered toxic to humans; it doesn't typically cause poisoning or severe adverse effects if ingested in small quantities. However, like many plants, it may cause mild stomach upset if ingested in large amounts or if an individual has a particular sensitivity. To avoid any possible discomfort, it's best not to consume any parts of the plant.
- To pets
  Montbretia is not commonly known to be toxic to pets. However, gastrointestinal upset is not unusual if pets consume large amounts of plant material. As with any non-food plant, monitor your pets around Montbretia to ensure they do not ingest quantities that may cause upset or other negative reactions. If you suspect your pet has ingested a large amount and is displaying signs of distress, contact your veterinarian.
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
- Vibrant Colors: Adds a bright splash of orange to the garden, which is especially attractive during its blooming season in summer.
- Attracts Pollinators: Invites bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, supporting local ecosystems and pollination.
- Easy to Grow: Requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Durable: Tolerant of a range of soil types and conditions, including some drought once established.
- Vertical Interest: Adds height and texture to garden beds with its tall, arching flower stalks.
- Long Blooming: Flowers last for an extended period through the summer months, providing consistent color and interest.
- Good Cut Flowers: Stems are long-lasting in vases, bringing the garden's appeal into the home.
- Propagation: Easily propagated by division, allowing gardeners to expand their display or share with others.
- Multipurpose Landscaping: Can be used in borders, containers, and as accent plants, offering versatility in garden design.
- Deer Resistant: Less likely to be eaten by deer than many other garden plants, reducing the need for protective measures.
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
- Flower Arranging: Crocosmia's vibrant orange blooms can be cut and used in fresh bouquets or dried floral arrangements, adding a pop of color to interior decor.
- Photography Subject: Due to its striking flowers, Crocosmia serves as an excellent subject for botanical photography and garden portfolios.
- Craft Projects: The dried seed heads and stems of Crocosmia can be used in various craft projects, including nature-inspired home decorations or wreaths.
- Educational Tool: Crocosmia can be used in educational settings such as botany classes to study plant structure and pollination mechanisms.
- Culinary Decoration: Although not for consumption, the bright flowers can be used as non-toxic garnishes for plating and presenting dishes in haute cuisine.
- Nectar Source for Bees: Crocosmia serves as a nectar source for bees, helping to support local pollinator populations in the garden.
- Seasonal Celebrations: The fiery flowers of Crocosmia can be incorporated into fall festival decorations and harvest displays due to their autumnal coloring.
- Artistic Inspiration: The plant can inspire artists and serve as a model for paintings, illustrations, and textile designs.
- Theme Gardens: Crocosmia 'Prince of Orange' can be used in theme gardens to represent regal or royal concepts due to its ‘princely’ name and vibrant appearance.
- Dye Source: While not commonly used for this purpose, Crocosmia could potentially be explored as a natural dye source for fabrics or crafts, considering many flowers have been historically used for dye.

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
- Fiery Passion: The Crocosmia, with its bold orange flowers, symbolizes intense affection and vibrant energy, representing strong feelings and a fiery heart.
- Independence: Known for its individuality and its ability to thrive without much assistance, the Crocosmia symbolizes independence and self-sufficiency.
- Wild Beauty: The wild and natural appearance of the Crocosmia represents untamed beauty, encouraging admiration for the natural and unrefined.
- Attraction: The striking color of Crocosmia 'Prince of Orange' is often associated with attraction and magnetism, making it a symbol of captivating charm.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late spring to early summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Montbretia 'Prince of Orange' should be watered deeply once a week, providing about an inch of water which allows the soil to become moist but not waterlogged. During hot and dry periods, increase the frequency to twice a week by providing the same amount of water. Ensure the plant has well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Reduce watering in the fall as the plant goes dormant, tapering off to minimal watering or none at all depending on rainfall. In general, aim for a total of approximately one to two gallons per week, adjusted for climate and soil conditions.
Light
Montbretia 'Prince of Orange' thrives in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to be placed in a spot where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. However, in hotter regions, some afternoon shade will benefit the plant by protecting it from intense, scorching heat.
Temperature
Montbretia 'Prince of Orange' can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but prefers temperate climates. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60°F and 85°F. It can generally withstand short periods of colder temperatures down to about 20°F but will struggle if temperatures stay below freezing for prolonged periods.
Pruning
Montbretia 'Prince of Orange' should be pruned to remove spent flowers and encourage a second blooming. In late fall or early winter, after the plant has finished blooming and foliage has died back, cut the plants to within a few inches above the ground. Pruning should be conducted annually to maintain plant health and appearance.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Montbretia 'Prince of Orange' thrives in fertile, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0. A good soil mix for this plant includes equal parts loam, peat, and sharp sand to ensure proper drainage and fertility. Adding organic matter like compost will also benefit the plant's growth.
Repotting
Montbretia 'Prince of Orange' should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it becomes root-bound. This typically involves lifting and dividing the corms in the autumn after the foliage has died back.
Humidity & Misting
Montbretia 'Prince of Orange' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but performs best in average garden conditions. It does not require high humidity and can tolerate the dry air found in most home garden environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright indirect light and ensure good airflow.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
Crocosmia 'Prince of Orange', commonly known as Montbretia, begins its cycle with germination from corms planted in spring after the last frost, developing into shoots that emerge from the soil. The shoots rapidly grow into clumps of upright, sword-shaped green leaves, providing a lush foliage backdrop. By mid to late summer, the plant produces tall flowering stems bearing a succession of vibrant orange flowers that bloom progressively along the stalks, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees. After flowering, the blooms fade, and seed capsules may form, although propagation is more commonly done by corm division. In autumn, the foliage dies back as the plant enters dormancy, conserving its energy within the corms below ground throughout the winter. With the return of warm weather in the following spring, the corms send up new growth, and the cycle repeats.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late spring to early summer
- Propogation: Crocosmia 'Prince of Orange', a vibrant perennial known for its fiery-hued flowers, is commonly propagated through division of its corms. The best time to divide and propagate Crocosmia is in the spring, when the plant is emerging from dormancy and has yet to begin its full growth cycle for the season. To propagate through division, carefully dig up the plant, making sure to get as much of the root system as possible. Gently separate the corms by hand, each with a piece of the root system attached. Replant the divisions immediately, setting them around 4 inches deep (approximately 10 centimeters) and spacing them about 6 to 8 inches apart (15 to 20 centimeters). Water the newly planted corms thoroughly to help establish them. This method of propagation allows gardeners to increase the number of plants quickly and efficiently, preserving the genetic characteristics of the 'Prince of Orange' variety.