Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen'

👤 Non-toxic to humans
🐾 Non-toxic to pets
🌸 Blooming
🍪 Not edible
‍🌱 Easy-care
montbretia 'Tangerine Queen'

ABOUT

Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen' is a strikingly vibrant perennial known for its bold and bright flowers. The plant showcases slender, arching stems that carry a multitude of buds which bloom into eye-catching, trumpet-shaped flowers. The color of these blooms is a vivid orange or sometimes a tangerine hue, exuding a warm, tropical feel. Each flower petal slightly recurves back, adding a sense of elegance and fluidity to the overall appearance. The foliage of 'Tangerine Queen' consists of long, narrow, sword-like leaves that emerge from a corm, creating a dense, green backdrop that further accentuates the brilliance of the flowers. The leaves are a rich, deep green color and have a somewhat pleated texture, contributing to the plant's lush and robust aesthetic. Together, the leaves and stems form a clump-like habit, creating a full and vigorous presence in the garden. The contrast between the fiery orange flowers and the cool green foliage is eye-catching, making Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen' a popular choice for adding a splash of color to borders, beds, and containers. Its blooms are not only appealing to human onlookers but also attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies, adding dynamism to the garden.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Iridaceae

    • Synonyms

      Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars

    • Common names

      Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen'.

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      Montbretia is generally not considered toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, individual sensitivities can vary. If Montbretia is ingested and symptoms occur, they may include gastrointestinal discomfort. In any case of suspected poisoning, seek medical advice.

    • To pets

      Montbretia is not commonly known to be toxic to pets. However, individual animals may have different reactions, and ingesting large amounts of any non-food plant material can potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea in pets. If you suspect your pet has eaten Montbretia and is showing adverse symptoms, contact your veterinarian.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • 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

    • Native area

      South Africa

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Attracts pollinators: The vibrant flowers of Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen' are known to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which can aid in the pollination of your garden.
    • Colorful blooms: It produces striking orange flowers that add a splash of color to any garden during its blooming season in the summer.
    • Drought resistance: Once established, Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen' is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring minimal watering in well-drained soils.
    • Easy to grow: It is generally easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of soil types, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
    • Perennial growth: As a perennial, it will return year after year, providing long-term landscaping value.
    • Architectural interest: The upright, sword-shaped leaves and cascading flowers add vertical interest to garden beds and borders.
    • Cut flowers: Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen' makes excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements, lasting well in vases.
    • Deer resistance: Typically, Crocosmia is not favored by deer, which can make it a good choice for gardens in areas where deer are a problem.
    • Easy to propagate: It can be easily propagated by division, allowing gardeners to expand their display or share with others.
    • Versatile placement: Suitable for beds, borders, containers, and as accent plants, providing versatility in garden design.

  • medicalMedical Properties

    This plant is not used for medical purposes.

  • windAir-purifying Qualities

    This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.

  • leavesOther Uses

    • Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen' can be used in floral art and ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, for its unique structurally striking flowers and long, arching stems that add height and exotic appeal to compositions.
    • This plant's dried seed pods can be included in potpourri mixtures for a natural, organic element and to add visual interest with their unique shapes and textures.
    • The robust, sword-like foliage of Crocosmia can be used in garden design as a living border to define pathways or garden sections, where the foliage adds structure even when the plant is not in bloom.
    • Crocosmia's nectar-rich blooms can be used as a natural means to attract and support populations of beneficial insects like bees and butterflies which are essential for pollination in the garden.
    • The plant can be used in educational settings to demonstrate various important biological concepts such as plant reproduction, pollinator attraction strategies, and bulb growth cycles.
    • Crocosmia can act as a natural pest deterrent; its foliage is not preferred by deer and other grazing animals, making it a practical choice in gardens prone to wildlife visits.
    • The species can be used as part of a companion planting strategy, positioning it near vegetable and fruit crops that benefit from the pollinators it attracts.
    • Crocosmia can be used to stabilize soil in sloped gardens or areas prone to erosion due to its clumping growth habit and extensive root system.
    • The vivid flowers of Crocosmia can be used in color therapy and landscape therapy designs, which aim to improve mental wellbeing through exposure to specific colors and landscapes.
    • In craft activities, stems and flowers of Crocosmia can be used for creating natural dyes, offering a range of warm, earthy tones to textiles and materials.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Crocosmia is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Crocosmia is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Passion and Desire: The fiery orange-red shades of the Crocosmia flowers are often associated with intense feelings, emotions, and strong desires.
    • Vitality and Energy: With its vibrant blooms, Crocosmia symbolizes a vigorous life force and is often used to represent liveliness and high energy levels.
    • Confidence and Boldness: The plant's striking appearance and the way it stands out in the garden can epitomize confidence and the courage to be bold.
    • Attraction and Love: Crocosmia's resemblance to the flames of a fire can signify attraction, making it a suitable gift for expressing affection and romantic interest.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
60%
Humidity
🪴
Every 2-3 years
Repotting
🌱️
Late summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning

  • water dropWater

    Montbretia, commonly known as Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen', should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the water to reach the roots where it's needed most. During the active growing season in spring and summer, ensure that the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged; an inch of water per week is a good guideline. Adjust the watering schedule during hot, dry spells, providing additional water to maintain soil moisture. In the winter, reduce watering as the plant enters dormancy, and only water if the soil becomes very dry. Always water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can promote fungal diseases.

  • sunLight

    Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen' flourishes in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this Montbretia is a location where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, which promotes vibrant blooms and healthy growth. If the climate is particularly hot, providing afternoon shade can help protect the plant from scorching.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Montbretia prefers moderate temperatures and thrives in a range typically between 60°F and 85°F. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F but may need protection from frost. During hot spells, ensure the plant receives adequate water. The ideal growing conditions for Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen' involve warm days and cool nights, which is typical of its native habitat.

  • scissorsPruning

    Prune Montbretia to remove dead or damaged foliage and spent flower stalks to promote healthy growth and improve air circulation. Pruning is ideally done in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Trimming Montbretia annually helps to maintain plant shape and encourages vigorous blooms during the flowering season.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Montbretia 'Tangerine Queen' thrives in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. An ideal soil mix for this plant can be made by combining two parts loam, one part peat or compost, and one part sharp sand or perlite to ensure good drainage. Regularly add organic matter to maintain fertility.

  • plantRepotting

    Montbretia 'Tangerine Queen' typically doesn't need frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years. It's best to repot when the clumps become overcrowded or when bulb-like corms begin to multiply and push above the soil surface.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Montbretia 'Tangerine Queen' prefers moderate humidity but is adaptable to a variety of conditions. The plant performs well outdoors where humidity is naturally regulated by the environment.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Place in a bright, sunny spot and keep soil moist.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in full sun, ensure well-draining soil.

    • Hardiness zone

      5-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen', commonly known as Montbretia, begins its life cycle when corms are planted in well-draining soil during spring. These corms sprout into strappy green leaves and eventually form arching stems that bear vibrant, tangerine-hued flowers by mid to late summer, attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and bees. After flowering, the plant sets seed, which can be collected for propagation or left to fall and potentially germinate nearby. As autumn approaches, the foliage dies back and the plant enters a period of dormancy during the winter, with the corms surviving underground. In spring, the cycle resumes as new growth emerges from these corms, sometimes alongside additional cormlets that have developed, leading to an increased spread of the plant. With proper care and favorable conditions, Montbretia can return year after year, showcasing its fiery blooms.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Late summer

    • The most popular method of propagating Crocosmia 'Tangerine Queen' is by dividing its corms. This process is best done in the spring when new growth begins to emerge. To propagate, carefully dig up the clumps of corms and gently separate them by hand, ensuring that each division has at least one growing point. Replant the divisions immediately at a depth of about 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 centimeters), allowing about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) between plants. Water the newly planted corms well to help establish them. Dividing the corms every few years also helps to rejuvenate the plants and encourages more vigorous growth and flowering.

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