Montbretia Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Sunglow'
ABOUT
The Crocosmia 'Sunglow' is a striking garden plant known for its vivid and bold-hued flowers. This perennial plant showcases an arching clump of long and sword-shaped green leaves, which form an attractive backdrop to its main feature—the flowers. These blossoms appear on slender, gently arching stems that give a sense of movement and elegance to the plant's display. The blossoms themselves are tube-like, flaring open at the ends into a wider, funnel shape; their color is a rich, warm shade reminiscent of sunshine, ranging from golden yellow to a burnt orange hue, lending the plant its 'Sunglow' epithet. The flowers are arranged in a row along one side of the stems, giving the appearance of a one-sided spike, which further adds to the plant’s graceful structure. The overall effect of the Crocosmia 'Sunglow' is one of vibrant color and delicate form, making it a popular choice for adding splashes of brightness to garden borders or as an accent plant.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Iridaceae.
Synonyms
Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars.
Common names
Montbretia 'Sunglow', Crocosmia 'Sunglow'.
ToxicityTo humans
Montbretia is not commonly known to be toxic to humans. While it is always best to avoid ingesting any plant material unless it is known to be safe, there are no well-documented cases of poisoning from consuming montbretia. As with many ornamental plants, it is possible that some individuals may experience a reaction due to individual allergies or sensitivities. If ingestion does occur and there are any signs of illness, medical attention should be sought.
To pets
Montbretia is not commonly known to be toxic to pets either. As with humans, there are no significant reports of toxicity in domestic animals from ingesting this plant. However, it is still advisable to prevent pets from eating ornamental plants, as they could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset or an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. If a pet does consume montbretia and shows symptoms of distress, a veterinarian should be consulted.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
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- Attracts Pollinators: Crocosmia 'Sunglow' draws in bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which help pollinate nearby plants.
- Colorful Blooms: With vibrant yellow and orange flowers, it adds a burst of color to gardens and landscapes during its blooming season.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it's relatively drought-resistant, needing less frequent watering compared to other garden plants.
- Easy to Grow: Crocosmia 'Sunglow' is known for being low maintenance and easy to cultivate in a variety of soil types.
- Long Blooming Period: It has a lengthy flowering period through summer and into fall, providing long-term visual interest.
- Structural Interest: The sword-like foliage and arching stems of Crocosmia 'Sunglow' give it a distinctive shape that can add structural interest to garden designs.
- Cutting Flower: The flowers are excellent for cutting and can be used to create attractive floral arrangements.
- Deer Resistant: It is usually resistant to deer, which is beneficial in areas where deer predation is a problem for gardeners.
- Multiplies Easily: Crocosmia 'Sunglow' tends to multiply and can be easily divided to produce more plants for expanding garden displays.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- The Montbretia 'Sunglow' can be used as a natural dye source, providing vibrant colors for fabric and crafting projects.
- With its attractive blooms, Montbretia can be incorporated into floral art, like ikebana, for its structural form and bright color.
- Montbretia's dried seed pods can be used in decorative dry arrangements to add an unusual, textured element.
- Gardeners can use Montbretia as a way to draw in hummingbirds, who are attracted to the plant's red flowers.
- The vertical growth and vibrant flowers of Montbretia can be used as a living fence or boundary in garden design.
- Montbretia can be planted to combat soil erosion, as its root system holds soil in place on slopes.
- The plant can be used in companion planting schemes within the garden to create visually pleasing color combinations.
- Montbretia can be employed as a natural pest deterrent, where its presence can repel certain insects from the garden.
- The plant's stalks can be used in light basket weaving projects once dried and treated appropriately.
- Montbretia can be used educationally in ecology and botany programs, to teach about pollination and plant growth habits.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiMontbretia is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityMontbretia is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Passion: The fiery shades of Crocosmia, often with hues of red and orange, resemble flames and are associated with intense feelings and ardor.
- Energy: The bright and bold colors of Montbretia signify liveliness and a vibrant spirit.
- Attraction: Montbretia's eye-catching blooms are thought to symbolize magnetism and the ability to draw people together.
WaterMontbretia 'Sunglow' should be watered deeply about once a week, allowing the soil to dry out between watering sessions. During the hot summer months, you might need to water the plant more frequently to maintain moist soil conditions, especially if it's growing in full sun or well-draining soil. Aim to provide at least 1 inch of water weekly. However, it is important to avoid overwatering, as Montbretia does not like to sit in waterlogged soil. During the winter months, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering significantly, only ensuring the soil doesn't completely dry out.
LightMontbretia 'Sunglow' thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. Ideally, the plant should receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day for optimal flower production. A planting spot that provides morning sun with some afternoon shade is also suitable for this plant to flourish, as long as it gets plenty of light.
TemperatureMontbretia 'Sunglow' prefers moderate to warm temperatures and can generally tolerate a range between 50°F and 90°F. The ideal temperature for vigorous growth and blooming is between 60°F to 75°F. It is hardy and can survive short periods of colder temperatures down to about 20°F, but it should be protected from extreme cold and frost.
PruningMontbretia 'Sunglow' should be pruned to remove spent flowers and dead foliage, which encourages healthy growth and possibly a second bloom. Pruning can be done as needed throughout the growing season to maintain a tidy appearance. The best time for a major clean-up pruning is late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilMontbretia 'Sunglow' thrives best in well-draining, rich soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5, which is slightly acidic. For the best soil mix, combine garden soil with peat, compost, and a bit of sand to improve drainage.
RepottingMontbretia 'Sunglow' should be repotted every 3 to 4 years or when it is evident that the corms have filled the pot and are crowding each other.
Humidity & MistingMontbretia 'Sunglow' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels and does not have specific humidity needs. It can thrive in both dry and humid conditions outdoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Montbretia 'Sunglow' in bright light, keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Full sun, well-draining soil, moderate watering.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleCrocosmia 'Sunglow' begins its life cycle when corms are planted in the soil in spring. The corms sprout and develop into leafy green plants, which then produce tall, arching stems that bear a succession of yellow to orange funnel-shaped flowers from midsummer to early autumn. After flowering, the plant sets seed, but propagation is more commonly done by dividing the corms. In fall, the foliage turns yellow and dies back as the plant enters dormancy over the winter. The corms survive underground during the cold months and will produce offsets, leading to a gradual increase in plant size. In the following spring, the cycle repeats as new growth emerges from the corms.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Sunglow', commonly known as Montbretia 'Sunglow', is a perennial that is commonly propagated by dividing its corms. The best time to propagate Montbretia 'Sunglow' by division is in the spring, just before new growth begins. To divide, carefully dig up the clump of corms and gently separate them by hand, making sure each division has at least one growing point. These individual corms can then be replanted immediately at a depth of about 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 centimeters) apart, allowing enough room for the plants to grow. The soil should be well-draining and the location should receive full sun to partial shade for optimal growth. After planting, water the corms well to establish them in their new location. This method is preferred for its simplicity and effectiveness, allowing gardeners to rapidly increase their Montbretia 'Sunglow' stock.
