Montbretia Crocosmia 'Zambesi'

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

ABOUT

The Crocosmia 'Zambesi' is a striking garden plant renowned for its vivid and showy flowers. The blooms of the 'Zambesi' are a fiery orange-red color, with each individual flower showcasing a flared, funnel-like shape that fans outwards, vividly standing out against the greenery of the garden. These flowers are arranged on arching stems in a loose, one-sided sequence giving them a charming, cascading appearance that enhances their ornamental appeal. The foliage of this Crocosmia is grass-like, with long and slender leaves that create an elegant and neat backdrop for the dramatic blossoms. The leaves emerge from corms, which are underground storage structures, and develop into mid-green sword-shaped blades that neatly fold in the middle, rising upright and curving gracefully outward toward their tips. As the plant matures through the flowering season, the vivid blossoms can draw in hummingbirds and butterflies, adding a dynamic element to its display. Once the blooming period concludes, the plant may produce seed pods that add a different textural interest to the garden, extending the visual allure of the 'Zambesi' beyond its flowering phase. The overall impression of the Crocosmia 'Zambesi' is that of dramatic coloring and graceful form, contributing both vertical interest and exotic appeal to any garden composition it graces.

Plant Info
Care
Common Problems

About this plant

  • memoNames

    • Family

      Iridaceae.

    • Synonyms

      Montbretia, Coppertips, Falling Stars.

    • Common names

      Crocosmia 'Zambesi'

  • skullToxicity

    • To humans

      Crocosmia 'Zambesi', commonly known as Montbretia, is not widely recognized for being toxic to humans. The plant is generally considered safe and does not frequently cause poisoning when touched or ingested. However, it's always advisable to exercise caution and prevent ingestion of any garden plants as a general safety measure, particularly for children and individuals with plant sensitivities or allergies.

    • To pets

      Montbretia is not typically listed as a toxic plant to pets such as dogs and cats. While it is generally considered non-toxic, it is always best to keep an eye on your pets and prevent them from eating garden plants, as individual reactions can vary and there could be potential for mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities. If you suspect your pet has eaten a large amount of any plant and is showing signs of illness, it's always best to consult with a veterinarian.

  • infoCharacteristics

    • 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

    • Native area

      South Africa

Benefits

  • money-bagGeneral Benefits

    • Attracts Pollinators: Crocosmia Zambesi is known for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are essential for pollination.
    • Easy to Grow: This plant is relatively easy to cultivate and maintain, making it a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
    • Drought Tolerant: Once established, Crocosmia Zambesi has good drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
    • Long Blooming Period: It offers a long season of blooms, usually from midsummer through to fall, adding prolonged color to the garden.
    • Architectural Interest: The plant’s sword-shaped leaves and arching flowers can add structural interest to a garden or floral arrangements.
    • Vibrant Color: The bright orange-red flowers of Crocosmia Zambesi provide a striking visual impact in the landscape.
    • Border and Cut Flowers: The blooms make excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements, and the plant itself is often used in borders and beds.
    • Resistant to Deer: The plant is typically resistant to deer, which can benefit gardeners in areas where deer predation is a problem.
    • Hardy Perennial: Crocosmia Zambesi is a hardy perennial, meaning it can survive in the ground over winter in many climates and regrow each spring.

  • 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 'Zambesi' can be used in floral arrangements, adding a vibrant touch and unique shape to bouquets and centerpieces.
    • The tall, arching stems of the Montbretia can be used as natural stakes for supporting other, less sturdy plants in the garden.
    • The dried seed heads of Montbretia can be included in dried flower arrangements for long-lasting decorations.
    • The plant can be used as a seasonal marker in temperate gardens, with its mid to late-summer blooming indicating the height of the garden season.
    • Montbretia can be planted in large masses as part of erosion control strategies on slopes due to their clumping habit.
    • The flowers of Montbretia can be used to add color to ponds and water features by planting them along the margins in appropriate zones.
    • Gardeners use Montbretia's vibrant color and unique form as inspiration for garden art and sculptures.
    • The plant is used in photography and painting as a subject to capture the effects of light on its vivid flowers and graceful foliage.
    • Montbretia's clumps can be used to create natural borders or dividers within garden spaces, guiding foot traffic through pathways.
    • The plant's consistency in returning each year can be used by educators to teach concepts of perennials and plant life cycles in horticultural classes.

Interesting Facts

  • bedFeng Shui

    The Montbretia is not used in Feng Shui practice.

  • aquariusZodiac Sign Compitability

    The Montbretia is not used in astrology practice.

  • spiralPlant Symbolism

    • Passion and Love: Crocosmia, commonly known as montbretia, often symbolizes deep passion and love due to its vibrant, fiery red or orange flowers that resemble flames.
    • Vitality and Energy: The bright colors and vigorous growth of montbretia reflect the symbolism of energy and vitality, as they bring a dynamic presence to any setting.
    • Independence: Montbretia's ability to spread and thrive in various conditions symbolizes independence and the capacity to adapt and flourish on one's own.

💧
Every 1-2 weeks
Water
☀️
2500 - 10000 Lux
Light
💦️
6%
Humidity
🪴
Every 3-5 years
Repotting
🌱️
Late spring-early summer
Propogation
✂️️
As needed
Pruning

  • water dropWater

    Montbretia should be watered deeply once a week, allowing the water to penetrate the soil to encourage deep root growth. During the active growth period in the spring and summer, ensure it receives about 1 inch of water weekly, which equates to approximately 0.6 gallons for an average-sized plant. When the weather is particularly hot or dry, monitor the soil moisture more closely, as you may need to water more frequently. However, during the dormant period in the fall and winter, reduce watering to prevent waterlogging the rhizomes, which can lead to rot.

  • sunLight

    For optimal growth, Montbretia prefers full sun conditions, meaning it should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant it in a spot where it's exposed to unfiltered sunlight for most of the day, such as in a south-facing or west-facing garden. However, in particularly hot climates, some light afternoon shade can help prevent the foliage from scorching.

  • thermometerTemperature

    Montbretia thrives in a range of temperature conditions, but prefers mild to warm weather. It can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20°F, but growth will be best maintained when temperatures are consistently above freezing. Ideally, Montbretia enjoys temperatures between 60°F and 90°F. Extreme cold or heat may damage the plant, so it's essential to protect it from frost and intense mid-summer heat.

  • scissorsPruning

    Prune Montbretia primarily to remove spent flowers and to tidy up the plant. This should be done after blooming, usually in the late summer or early fall. Cutting back the flower stems will encourage new growth. In areas where Montbretia is perennial, leave the foliage in place over winter to protect the rhizomes and cut back to ground level in early spring as new growth starts.

  • broomCleaning

    As needed

  • bambooSoil

    Crocosmia, commonly known as montbretia, thrives best in fertile, well-draining soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 6.5. A mix of loamy soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure will provide the nutrients necessary for abundant flowering. It's important to ensure good drainage to prevent bulb rot.

  • plantRepotting

    Montbretia generally does not need to be repotted often as they prefer to be left undisturbed. It's best to repot or divide the clumps every 3-4 years to avoid overcrowding and to rejuvenate their growth.

  • water dropsHumidity & Misting

    Montbretia prefers moderate humidity levels but is quite adaptable to various humidity conditions outside of extreme wet or dry. No specific humidity level is necessary for this hardy plant, as it can tolerate the humidity levels typically found in temperate climates.

  • pinSuitable locations

    • Indoor

      Grow in bright light, ensure good drainage, and avoid overwatering.

    • Outdoor

      Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil.

    • Hardiness zone

      5-9 USDA

  • circleLife cycle

    Crocosmia 'Zambesi', commonly known as Montbretia, begins its lifecycle when its corms (bulb-like structures) are planted in well-draining soil in late winter or early spring. Upon sprouting, linear green leaves emerge, followed by the development of long, arching flowering stems in the summer, which bears vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers. After blooming, the flowers give way to seed capsules, although reproduction is primarily through corm division rather than seed. As autumn approaches, the leaves and stems die back, and the plant enters a dormant phase wherein the corms rest underground through the winter. The cycle repeats when temperatures warm and conditions become favorable, prompting new growth from the corms in the subsequent growing season. Division of the corms every few years is often done to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.

  • sproutPropogation

    • Propogation time

      Late spring-early summer

    • The Crocosmia 'Limpopo', commonly known as montbretia, is typically propagated through division, which is the most popular method for this perennial plant. Propagation time is ideally during late winter to early spring before new growth begins. To propagate montbretia by division, you would start by carefully lifting the clumps of corms from the ground using a garden fork, ensuring minimal damage to the corms. You would then gently separate the individual corms and remove any that are damaged or diseased. The healthy corms can then be replanted immediately at a depth of approximately 3 to 5 inches (about 7.5 to 12.5 centimeters), spaced about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) apart, in well-draining soil with good sunlight exposure. The soil should be kept moist, but not waterlogged, to encourage root development and the establishment of new plants.

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