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Summer-flowering perennial corms
Iridaceae
Hardy crocosmia mix for borders, bouquets, and pollinators
Emily McKenzie Crocosmia (Crocosmia)
Crocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’
Product code : 501 315 11
Emily McKenzie crocosmia is a hardy perennial supplied as 50 No1 corms. Arching stems carry a fiery blend of bright orange with coppery-red centres flowers above green sword-like foliage. The clump reaches about 40 cm tall and 30 cm wide. Plant in spring, 5 cm deep and 15 to 30 cm apart, in sun or partial shade and rich freely drained soil. Hardy in Zones 6 to 9, it attracts pollinators, provides excellent cut flowers, and benefits from division every four or five years. Winter mulch supports dependable performance in exposed Zone 6 gardens. Its summer display creates lasting colour without complicated care when drainage, light, and spacing are properly managed.
- Quantity
- 10 corms
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Life cycle
- Hardy perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 6 to 9; winter protection in colder districts
Discover the plant
Common nameEmily McKenzie crocosmia
FamilyIridaceae
GenusCrocosmia
CultivarEmily McKenzie
TypeSummer-flowering perennial corms
Botanical nameCrocosmia ‘Emily McKenzie’
Emily McKenzie crocosmia (Crocosmia) is a Van Noort combination of 50 No1 corms bearing bright orange with coppery-red centres flowers. Arching sprays open progressively above green sword-like foliage, recalling the moving glow of a campfire. The clump reaches about 40 cm tall and 30 cm wide, an easy size for borders and mixed beds. Hardy from Zone 6 through Zone 9 in freely drained soil, this perennial blend returns reliably and attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout its summer display. Plant all 50 corms together for the strongest rhythmic colour effect.
Plant the 50 corms in spring in rich, light, freely drained soil, setting them 5 cm deep and 15 to 30 cm apart. Choose full sun or bright partial shade. Arrange them in drifts or ribbons so colours echo one another, then water after planting. Maintain even moisture during establishment without allowing standing water. Mature compost in spring and moderate balanced feeding support flowering. In windy positions, place the corms among sturdy perennials that can support stems naturally without hiding their flowers. Light organic mulch helps conserve moisture while keeping the crowns open and well aerated.
Emily McKenzie crocosmia energizes cottage gardens, pollinator beds, and fresh bouquets. Pair these orange and copper-red flowers with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, daylilies, salvias, and fine grasses. Cut selected stems as their first buds open, while retaining enough foliage to replenish the corms. After flowering, remove faded sprays and let leaves yellow naturally. In Zone 6, apply winter mulch after the ground freezes and select a perfectly drained position. Divide crowded clumps every four or five years to maintain vigour and refresh the composition. Label divisions so the complete colour blend remains balanced when replanted.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
5 cm (2 in)
Spacing / density
15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in)
Sowing period
May to June in Quebec, once soil has warmed
Propagation
Corms and separation of cormlets during dormancy
Growing method
Wait until nights generally remain above 10°C and soil has warmed before planting, usually from late May into early June in Quebec. To advance bloom, start corms indoors three or four weeks earlier in individual pots under bright light. Outdoors, choose full sun or light partial shade and loosen soil to 25 cm (10 in). Incorporate mature compost, plus coarse sand or fine gravel if drainage is slow. Set each corm 5 cm (2 in) deep with the point upward, leaving 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) between them. Cluster all 50 rather than scattering them because the slender stems read more clearly together. Water after planting, then moderately until emergence. Once leaves appear, maintain consistent moisture and add light mulch that does not trap water against shoots. Feed at half strength during foliage development and again as buds form. Support groups discreetly in windy positions. Remove faded flowers without cutting leaves. After bloom, reduce watering gradually and allow foliage to yellow. In Zone 6, leave corms in freely drained ground and apply mulch after the soil freezes. Discard soft specimens before storage and label the sound corms clearly. Inspect the stored group monthly so one damaged corm cannot spread decay.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
6.0 to 7.0
Minimum temperature
Approximately −34°C in freely drained soil, corresponding to Zone 6
Care level
Moderate
Watering
After planting, water to settle the soil, then wait for shoots before increasing irrigation. During active growth and flowering, provide approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) of water weekly when rain is absent. Water at soil level in the morning and let the surface drain. Reduce moisture gradually after bloom so corms mature before lifting. Consistent moisture supports even spikes. Containers may need more frequent checks during hot, windy weather.
Soil type
Light, fertile, freely draining soil enriched with mature compost is ideal. Sandy loam warms promptly and releases excess water after rain. Avoid compact clay, waterlogged hollows, and fresh manure. In containers, use quality potting mix amended with perlite and keep every drainage hole completely unobstructed throughout the growing season. Warm soil also advances the naturally late flowering season. Renew container mix yearly to prevent compaction and salt accumulation.
Fertilization
Incorporate mature compost before planting. When shoots reach 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in), apply balanced slow-release fertilizer or a half-strength liquid feed. Repeat once as buds begin forming. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage and weak stems at the expense of flowers and the corm’s stored energy. Stop feeding after bloom so foliage can mature naturally and corms can enter dormancy with firm, well-ripened tissues.
Moisture
Maintain moderate, even moisture through establishment, active growth, and flowering without leaving corms in saturated soil. Rapid drainage is essential for winter hardiness, especially in Zone 6. Reduce irrigation as foliage yellows. Light mulch conserves summer moisture, but keep it away from emerging shoots to preserve airflow and prevent crown rot after prolonged rain or repeated winter thaws in Quebec gardens.
Seasonal care
In spring, sort stored corms and discard any that are soft, mouldy, or completely shrivelled. Remove loose old tunics without injuring buds. Start them in pots near late April if earlier bloom is desired, or wait until outdoor soil becomes warm. Mark the planting area so late shoots are not disturbed. During summer, water deeply when the surface dries, weed by hand, and maintain a thin mulch. Apply balanced fertilizer at low strength during active growth, then stop once flowers open. Support stems in windy corridors and remove faded blooms above the foliage. For arrangements, harvest a spike when its first bud opens while leaving every leaf intact. Watch for thrips, slugs, and spider mites; remove severely affected tissue and avoid wetting foliage in the evening. In fall, reduce water after the final flowers. Let leaves yellow naturally, then cut them at soil level. After the ground freezes, apply protective mulch in Zone 6. Divide crowded clumps in spring and replant healthy corms at the recommended depth. Inspect monthly and remove any rot immediately to protect the remaining lot. Do not store damp corms or seal them in plastic. Record which groups flowered best so the strongest corms can be replanted together next spring. Renew mulch only after the soil freezes, then remove it gradually in spring so emerging shoots never remain trapped in excessive moisture.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 in) wide and at least 30 cm (12 in) deep for 50 corms
For 50 corms, use a heavy container at least 35 to 40 cm (14 to 16 in) wide and 30 cm (12 in) deep. Select a pot with several holes and raise it slightly so water drains freely. Blend quality potting mix with mature compost and approximately one-quarter perlite or pumice. Arrange corms 8 cm (3 in) deep and 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in) apart with points upward, then water once. Keep the container in sun and sheltered from prevailing wind. Before emergence, let the mix dry somewhat between applications; afterward, check several times weekly and water when the upper 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) is dry. Feed at half strength every three weeks until flowers open. Insert a support ring before stems lengthen and rotate the pot regularly. Remove spent flowers but retain all leaves. Once foliage yellows, stop watering. Move the entire pot into a dry, dark, frost-free space, or lift, dry, and store corms separately. The following spring, replace at least one-third of the mix, sort cormlets, and replant only firm corms. Separate vigorous cormlets for growing on in smaller nursery pots. Never overwinter the container outdoors where repeated freezing and thawing can destroy the corms.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
40 cm (16 in)
Width / spread
30 cm (12 in)
Flower color
Bright orange with a broad coppery-red centre
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Deciduous, strap-like, and sword-shaped
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Upright, dense, and slightly arching in bloom
Fragrance
Light or absent; grown primarily for colour
Bloom period
From late August through September, bright orange with coppery-red centres, star-shaped flowers open successively along slender spikes. Every bloom carries a golden centre and releases fiery colour, especially toward evening. An indoor start and warm site advance flowering. Cut spikes when the first bud opens for arrangements, and leave the foliage intact so corms rebuild reserves. Remove rain-damaged blooms to protect later buds.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Choose dahlias, compact cannas, salvias, verbenas, cosmos, zinnias, and fine grasses that share a preference for sun, warmth, and draining soil. Purple or bronze foliage echoes the dark flower throat, while blue blooms provide a cool contrast. Avoid bog plants and dense groundcovers that trap moisture around corms or complicate fall lifting and sorting. Compact Joe-Pye weed and late black-eyed Susans extend the September display around the spikes. Leave open soil around each cluster so lifting tools can enter without damaging neighbouring crowns, and maintain clear airflow during humid weather.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
How deep and in which direction should the corms be planted?
Set each corm 5 cm (2 in) deep, with the small point or bud facing upward and the flatter base downward. Leave approximately 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) between units and cluster all 50 for a visible effect. If orientation is difficult to recognize, place the corm on its side; the shoot will turn upward naturally. Wait until soil is warm and frost danger has passed. In heavy ground, add fine gravel or plant on a slight mound. Water after planting, then only moderately until leaves appear to reduce the risk of rot. Mark the group clearly after planting because emergence may be later than nearby annuals.
Why does my Emily McKenzie crocosmia fail to bloom before frost?
This species flowers naturally late and may lack sufficient heat during a short summer. Start corms indoors three or four weeks before planting, using small pots under bright light. Transplant without disturbing roots once nights stay above 10°C. Choose the warmest, sunniest garden position, ideally beside a wall or stone edge. Excess nitrogen produces abundant leaves but delays buds, so feed moderately. Keep soil moist during active growth without saturating it. Small corms or cormlets may also require more than one season before producing a complete flowering spike. Preserve their foliage and store them carefully so they can gain size.
How should corms be stored through a Canadian winter?
After flowering, reduce watering and let foliage yellow so stored energy returns to the corm. Lift before the first frost, cut stems to approximately 3 cm (1 in), and gently shake off soil. Dry corms for one to two weeks in a ventilated location away from direct sun. Remove very loose tunics and separate cormlets without injuring the base. Store corms in a paper bag or ventilated box with dry peat, near 7 to 10°C. Label the plant, protect it from rodents, and inspect monthly so any soft or mouldy piece is removed immediately. Keep the material dry but not exposed to heated household air.
How can strong stems be produced for bouquets?
Provide at least six hours of sun, fertile soil without excess nitrogen, and consistent moisture while stems elongate. In a windy site, install a support ring early, before spikes bend. Harvest when the first bud shows colour or begins opening. Work in the morning with a clean tool and leave several leaves on the plant so the corm retains vigour. Recut the base under water, remove only leaves that would be submerged, and place the stem in a clean vase. Change water every two days; upper buds generally continue opening and releasing colour. Keep the arrangement away from direct heat and ripening fruit.
Is Emily McKenzie crocosmia safe around pets?
No. Crocosmia belongs to the same genus as garden gladiolus and should be considered toxic to dogs, cats, and some other animals if swallowed. Corms present the greatest concern, but leaves and flowers are not intended for consumption. Keep packages, stored corms, and planting debris in closed containers beyond reach. Collect dropped pieces during cleanup and avoid a site where pets routinely dig. If ingestion is suspected and drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or abdominal pain develops, contact a veterinarian promptly and provide the name Crocosmia. Do not induce vomiting without professional instructions. Wear gloves if handling the sap irritates your skin.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Reported toxicity
Yes
Supporting wildlife
Star-shaped flowers may attract daytime butterflies and some long-tongued pollinators, while evening colour signals blooms to insects active near dusk. This contribution is complementary within a diverse garden. Avoid insecticides, retain several uncut spikes, and grow nearby nectar plants with more accessible flowers to support a broader range of visitors.