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Crocosmia is an ornamental plant with beautiful clusters of flowers and a delicate aroma of saffron. Planting and caring for montbrecia in the open field will be within the power of even novice gardeners.
Description of colors
The word “crocosmia” (Crokosmia) in Greek means “aroma of saffron”. This name was given to the plant for the delicate smell of spices that exude dried flowers. The culture received the name “montbrecia” in honor of the French botanist Antoine de Montbreit. And for the outward resemblance to the gladiolus, which is clearly seen in the photo of the montbrecia flower, it is called the Japanese gladiolus.
Montbrecia will be a good decoration of the backyard
Crocosmia is native to South Africa. In Our Country, the flower appeared in the XNUMXth century and has since been used in the landscape design of urban recreation areas and private gardens.
Montbrecia is a perennial plant of the iris family with a thin erect stem reaching 1 m in height and linear xiphoid leaves with a deep longitudinal furrow in the middle. The leaf color is light green.
On tall and strong peduncles of perennial crocosmia, as seen in the photo, there are dense paniculate or spike-shaped inflorescences, consisting of several funnel-shaped flowers of yellow, red or orange hue. Montbrecia is characterized by alternate blooming of buds, which allows you to increase the flowering period and maintain decorativeness until autumn.
About a dozen buds are located on one peduncle
The root system of montbrecia is tuberous, consists of several corms covered with brown shells. After flowering, rather large brown-red seeds ripen in a rounded seed box.
Crocosmia, grown from seeds, blooms in the 3rd year of life, from children – in the 2nd, and from bulbs – already in the first summer. In central Our Country, the flowering period of an adult plant begins in July and lasts about 2 months. In the southern regions, where montbrecia is not dug up for the winter, the first flowers can be seen in June.
The closest relatives of crocosmia are: iris, freesia, crocus, gladiolus and ferraria.
Types and varieties of montbrecia
In the wild, there are about 60 species of montbrecia. However, not all are used in culture.
Crocosmia golden (Crokosmia aurea)
This is the first species from which all experiments of breeders began. Golden montbrecia got its name for bright yellow or orange flowers about 5 cm in size. Leaf plates, like all representatives of iris, are narrow xiphoid. The flowering period continues in July-September. Montbrecia loves light, but can also grow in diffused shade. It does not hibernate in the middle lane.
Golden montbrecia owes its name to bright yellow flowers.
Crocosmia massonorum (Crokosmia masoniorum)
A low plant (about 80 cm) with yellow, bright orange or red flowers and ribbed xiphoid leaves. This montbrecia has a relatively good frost resistance and is suitable for cultivation in regions with cool winters. Blooms in July-September.
Massonorum will delight with its flowers for 2 months
Crocosmia paniculata (Crokosmia paniculate)
An early species that begins to bloom in June. Outwardly, as seen in the photo of crocosmia flowers, paniculata resembles the rest of the species: orange flowers, long green leaves.
Crocosmia paniculata are characterized by drooping flowers
Crokosmia pottsii (Crokosmia pottsii)
This species is characterized by the narrowest leaves of all montbrecias and the smallest flowers of an orange or yellow hue. Blooms in July-September. Loves the light, but can develop in diffused shade.
Thin graceful leaves of crocosmia pots are combined with beautiful orange flowers
Common crocosmia (Crokosmia crjkosmiflora) or garden montbrecia
The height of the common montbrecia bush is about 1 m. The leaves are thin, xiphoid, about 5 cm wide. Panicles of yellow, orange or red flowers are located on erect peduncles. Blooms in late June or early September. Montbrecia vulgaris became the originator of several varieties.
Crocosmia vulgaris can have flowers of different shades
Lucifer (Lucifer)
This variety of Montbrecia is rightfully recognized as one of the most beautiful. Tall (about 1,5 m) peduncles are crowned with bright blood-red inflorescences that stand out against the background of light green leaves. The variety survives cool weather well, which allows it to be grown in areas with cold winters. This crocosmia takes root perfectly in the Moscow region.
Lucifer will be a bright spot in the garden
Emily Mackenzie
Low-growing montbrecia about 60 cm high. The flowers are showy, orange, with a darker spot in the center of the flower basket. It is used in group compositions for decorating personal plots. Montbrecia blooms for 2 months, starting from the end of July.
Emily Mackenzie stands out from other colors
Star of the East
A beautiful large-flowered variety about 1 m high. The flowers are bright orange, the size of the flower basket is 10 cm. The variety is late, the flowering period falls on August-October. The Star of the East does not have good frost resistance, so this montbrecia is dug up or covered for the winter.
The Star of the East has the largest flowers among all representatives of the species
Red King
Lush shrub with long xiphoid leaves and beautiful red flowers with a lighter center. Blooms for 2 months, starting in July.
The lush flowers of Crocosmia Red King live up to their name
Montbrecia in landscape design
Montbrecia is used to decorate flower beds, alpine slides and discounts. Crocosmia looks good in the garden, as can be seen in the photo. The plant stands out favorably both in individual plantings and in group compositions. Montbrecia solitaire is planted against the background of a mowed lawn. Suitable neighbors in group plantings will be other representatives of the iris.
Seeds can be harvested after flowering montbrecia
Montbrecia flowers do not fade for a long time when cut and even dry retain their decorative effect, therefore they are well suited for bouquets and flower arrangements.
Features of reproduction
There are 2 known methods of propagation of montbrecia: seeds and bulbs (method of dividing the rhizome).
The first method is used when crocosmia is not yet growing on the site. Seeds are sown in a container for seedlings, followed by planting it in open ground.
Reproduction of montbrecia by dividing the rhizome is considered less time-consuming and more effective.
Seeds can be harvested after flowering montbrecia
Planting and caring for montbrecia seedlings
Crocosmia is an unpretentious culture. Planting and caring for a montbrecia flower is not particularly difficult.
When to plant montbrecia seeds
Seeds for seedlings are sown in late February or early March. Before planting in a container, it is advisable to germinate them.
Preparation of containers and soil
For planting seeds for seedlings, ideally, use individual containers. If this is not possible, the seeds are planted in one large container.
You can buy ready-made soil for seedlings of montbrecia or make it yourself by combining garden soil, peat, sand and compost in equal proportions.
You can use a container with cells
Landing algorithm
In the process of planting montbrecia seed material:
- fill the container with soil mixture;
- plant seeds, deepening them by 1 cm, evenly moisten the soil;
- cover the container with foil and leave in a well-lit place.
The film is removed after the emergence of shoots.
Care of seedlings
The procedure for caring for seedlings of montbrecia is identical to caring for other flowering crops and includes:
- watering, which is carried out as the soil dries;
- loosening – the soil is periodically loosened gently.
After the appearance of the 3rd leaf, plants grown in a common container dive into individual containers.
About 2 weeks before planting in open ground, seedlings begin to harden off, gradually increasing the time spent in the air.
Hardened seedlings adapt faster in open ground
Planting and caring for crocosmia in the open field
The rules for planting montbrecia are almost the same as for all representatives of the iris family. In cultivation, crocosmia is unpretentious, but still requires regular care.
Recommended dates
Montbrecia seedlings are planted in open soil when it warms up to 10 ° C, and the threat of spring frosts is left behind. It’s around the beginning of May.
At the same time, it is recommended to plant bulbous material.
Site selection and soil preparation
Crocosmia is a photophilous plant, so the site for its cultivation should be chosen open and well lit. The lack of heat and sunlight may not be the best way to affect the flowering of montbrecia. Not suitable for this plant and a plot with a close occurrence of groundwater.
The soil for crocosmia is better to choose light permeable. Ideally, prepare it in the fall – dig up and apply organic fertilizers at the rate of 2 buckets per 1 sq. m. In early spring, before planting, the ground is loosened again and nitrogen-containing fertilizers are added.
The site for growing crocosmia must be protected from the wind
Rules of landing
Seedling planting algorithm:
- make holes and water them;
- seedlings are placed in the center of the hole together with an earthen clod and covered with soil;
- the soil in the root zone is mulched with dry sawdust or chopped grass without seeds.
Crocosmia bulbs are planted in a similar way, deepening them into the ground by 5-7 cm. Before planting corms, it is recommended to soak for 2 hours in a solution of weak potassium permanganate.
Watering and fertilizing schedule
For the normal development and full flowering of montbrecia, the following are required:
- Regular watering. Montbrecia is a moisture-loving plant, but you should not be zealous. In the early days, crocosmia seedlings are watered every day. When the seedlings are strong enough, they are watered once every 1 days.
- Top dressing. In spring, montbrecia is fertilized with nitrogen-containing compounds to accelerate growth. In summer, organic fertilizers and complex fertilizers with potassium are added to the soil for flowering.
- Garter. During flowering, tall species of montbrecia need a garter. This will improve their decorative effect.
Weeding and loosening
The list of rules for caring for montbrecia includes the removal of weeds and loosening the soil. Weeds are disposed of in the course of their appearance, and the soil is loosened after the next watering.
It is not necessary to loosen the mulched earth
Preparation for winter
Montbrecia is afraid of frost, so you should take care of her wintering. Closer to mid-October, the ground part of the plant is cut off, and the rhizome is dug up.
Bulbs removed from the ground should be stored in a cool dry (about + 10 ° C) room.
In areas with mild winters, it is allowed not to dig up crocosmia, but to cover it with a layer of mulch or spruce branches.
Dry the bulbs before storage.
Diseases and pests
Montbrecia is resistant to many diseases inherent in flowering plants. However, sometimes you have to deal with troubles such as:
- Fuzarioz. This disease is characterized by yellowing and subsequent death of the leaf blades. Flowers are also deformed and dry out. The disease can be cured only at an early stage of development. For this, the plant is treated with fungicides.
Fusarium can lead to the death of a flower
- Gray mold. You can determine the disease by the appearance of a fluffy gray coating on parts of the plant. In the process of treatment, the affected fragments are removed, and healthy ones are treated with a solution of potassium permanganate to prevent the spread of infection.
Gray rot is easier to prevent than to cure.
Montbrecia also has other enemies:
- Medvedka. This is a large insect that feeds on plant roots, in this case crocosmia bulbs. To combat the bear, insecticidal preparations are used. Another option for pest control is traps. To do this, closer to winter, in the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe intended habitat, the bear digs a small hole and fills it with manure. After a while, the trap is dug up. It remains only to destroy the pests settled there.
Destroying the root system, the bear destroys the flower
- TRIPS. These are small insects that feed on the sap of montbrecia. The result of their activity is discolored spots and stripes on the vegetative parts of crocosmia. After some time, the leaves fall off, the stems are deformed, the montbrecia loses its decorative effect. You can rid the plant of pests with the help of insecticides – Confidor, Actellik, etc.
Light stripes indicate the presence of thrips
Conclusion
Planting and caring for montbrecia in the open field are not particularly difficult. Unpretentious and beautiful crocosmia can become a decoration of a personal plot.
