Montbretia Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Solfatare'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Solfatare', also known as Coppertips or Falling Stars, is an ornamental plant known for its striking appearance that adds a touch of vivid color and exoticism to gardens. Coppertips boasts sword-like, pleated leaves that have a distinctive bronze or coppery tone, providing a warm backdrop that contrasts beautifully with its colorful blooms. During its flowering period, Coppertips produces arching sprays of funnel-shaped flowers that dangle gracefully from the branched stems. The blossoms display a rich, golden-yellow hue, often with a delicate to pronounced gradient or ombre effect that may deepen into orange or rust tones at the heart of the flower. Each individual bloom comprises six petals that flare outwards, creating a star-like silhouette that further enhances the plant's decorative appeal. Adding to the allure, the flowers are organized in a two-rowed, zigzag pattern along the flowering stem, which contributes to the dynamic visual flow of the plant. The blooms are not only visually striking but may also attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden, enhancing the natural ecosystem's vibrancy. Overall, Coppertips is celebrated for its vivid coloration and the sophisticated texture provided by its foliage and blossoms, making it a favorite for creating focal points in landscaping or adding a touch of exotic flair to outdoor spaces.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars
- Common names
  Montbretia 'Solfatare'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Montbretia is not widely recognized as a toxic plant to humans, and there is limited information readily available to indicate severe toxicity. As with any plant material, if large quantities are ingested, it could potentially cause stomach upset or an allergic reaction. However, cases of poisoning from Montbretia are not commonly reported. Nonetheless, it is generally advised to avoid eating parts of ornamental plants due to potential unknown toxicities or individual sensitivities.
- To pets
  Montbretia is also not widely known to be toxic to pets. Just as with humans, there is limited information about its potential toxicity to animals. While it is not typically listed as a plant that is poisonous to pets, ingestion of the leaves or flowers could possibly cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large amounts. It is still best to discourage pets from eating ornamental plants, as individual pets may have sensitivity or allergies to certain plant compounds.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Bronze
- Flower color
  Yellow
- 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
- Aesthetic Appeal: Adds vibrant color and unique texture to gardens with its arching stems and funnel-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red.
- Attracts Wildlife: Draws beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, aiding in the pollination of the garden.
- Easy Maintenance: Low-maintenance plant that is tolerant of a variety of soil conditions, requiring minimal care once established.
- Durable Blooms: Flowers last a long time when cut, making them excellent for floral arrangements and bouquets.
- Multiplication: Propagates easily through corms, allowing gardeners to expand their displays or share with others.
- Seasonal Interest: Provides late summer to fall interest in the garden, a time when many other flowers have finished blooming.
- Resistant to Pests: Displays resistance to deer and rabbits, minimizing the need for protective measures.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, has good drought tolerance, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-wise gardens.
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 can be used as a natural pest deterrent due to its strong scent, which can repel certain insects.
- The plant can be part of a natural dye process, where the flowers and leaves provide color for fabrics or art projects.
- Crocosmia's dried seed pods can be used in floral arrangements or craft projects for their unique shape and texture.
- The tall and flexible stems of Crocosmia can be woven or used as natural supports in the garden for other plants.
- When planted in large groups, Crocosmia can act as a privacy screen or garden border while adding aesthetic appeal.
- The vibrant flowers of Crocosmia can be used in edible flower arrangements for their colorful and dramatic effect on dishes.
- Photographers and artists may use Crocosmia as a subject for its striking appearance and to study the interplay of light and color.
- Crocosmia's foliage can provide interesting textures in printmaking processes when used to make botanical prints or impressions.
- Due to its ability to attract pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, Crocosmia can play a role in educational settings to demonstrate pollination and biodiversity.
- Crocosmia can be used in permaculture gardens for its hardiness and low maintenance, integrating well with other plants to create sustainable ecosystems.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Montbretia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Montbretia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Passion and Love: The vivid fiery colors of Crocosmia, commonly known as Montbretia, are often associated with feelings of passion and love, symbolizing strong emotions and an ardent heart.
- Vigor and Energy: Montbretia's vigorous growth and bright blooms convey a sense of vitality and energy, making it a symbol of life's zest and enthusiasm.
- Adventure and Boldness: The striking appearance of Montbretia suggests a spirit of adventure and boldness, representing the courage to take bold steps in life.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Montbretia 'Solfatare' should be watered deeply once a week to a depth of 2 inches, allowing the water to reach the roots without waterlogging the soil. Adjust the frequency to account for rainfall, and ensure the plant gets roughly 1 gallon of water per week during the active growing season. During dormant periods, reduce watering to prevent rot, especially in areas with wet winters. Overwatering or prolonged wet soil can be detrimental, so allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions.
Light
Montbretia 'Solfatare' thrives best in full sun, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. It can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be reduced. The ideal spot is an area that receives unfiltered sunlight for the majority of the day, ensuring the plant gets enough light to produce vibrant blooms.
Temperature
Montbretia 'Solfatare' prefers temperate climates and does well in temperatures ranging from 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with the ideal growing range between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive light frosts but may need protection or mulching in areas where temperatures dip below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Montbretia 'Solfatare' should be pruned to remove spent flower stalks after blooming to maintain a tidy appearance and to potentially stimulate a second flush of flowers. Pruning in late winter or early spring involves cutting back the foliage to ground level before new growth begins. Pruning helps to rejuvenate the plant and ensures healthy growth for the coming season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Montbretia 'Solfatare' prefers well-draining soil that's rich in organic matter, with a soil pH range of 6.0 to 6.5. A good mix can be made of equal parts loam, peat, and sharp sand to facilitate drainage. During the growing season, a layer of compost or well-rotted manure can help provide the necessary nutrients for robust growth.
Repotting
Montbretia 'Solfatare' generally does not need frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. Division and repotting are typically done every 3 to 4 years to prevent overcrowding and renew the soil's fertility.
Humidity & Misting
Montbretia 'Solfatare' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but thrives best in moderate to high humidity environments. However, it is not particularly sensitive and adjusts well to the ambient outdoor humidity in areas where it can be grown.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Montbretia 'Solfatare' in bright, indirect light with good airflow.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun to partial shade, and ensure soil drains well.
- Hardiness zone
  Montbretia 'Solfatare' is suited for 6-9 USDA.
Life cycle
Crocosmia 'Solfatare' begins its life as a corm, a bulb-like storage organ that survives through winter and leads to the sprouting stage in spring. New shoots emerge from the corm, developing into sword-like foliage and gradually forming clumps as the plant matures. Throughout summer, arching stems bearing yellow to orange funnel-shaped flowers unfold, attracting pollinators to the garden. Following pollination, the flowers may develop into seed capsules, though the plant often multiplies more effectively by corm division. As autumn approaches, foliage and stems die back, with the corms entering a dormant period throughout the colder months. The cycle recommences in spring with the corms producing new growth, ensuring the perennial nature of 'Solfatare'.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Early Summer
- The most popular method of propagation for Crocosmia 'Solfatare', also known as Montbretia, is by dividing its corms. This process is ideally done in spring after the threat of frost has passed but before new growth begins. To propagate, carefully dig up the corms and gently separate them by hand, ensuring each division has at least one growing point. Corms can be replanted immediately at a depth of about 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 centimeters) with the pointed end facing upwards, spaced approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters) apart to allow adequate room for growth. Water the newly planted corms thoroughly to help establish them. This simple method of propagation will yield new Montbretia plants that will flower in the following seasons.