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Summer-flowering perennial corms
Iridaceae
Hardy crocosmia mix for borders, bouquets, and pollinators
Van Noort
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
From bulb to bloom
Common nameLucifer crocosmia
FamilyIridaceae
GenusCrocosmia
CultivarLucifer
Bulb typeCorme
Botanical nameCrocosmia ‘Lucifer’
Quantity per pack5
Bulb sizeNo 1
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (montbretia) is a spectacular cormous perennial renowned for long arching stems filled with vivid scarlet-red flowers. From July through September, buds open progressively above upright blade-like green foliage. Reaching 80 to 100 cm tall and about 30 cm wide, the plant brings movement, vertical structure, and brilliance to summer beds. The package contains 5 corms ready to establish a generous clump. Hardy in Zones 5 to 9 in drained soil, this nectar-rich selection strongly attracts hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies while providing durable stems for fresh bouquets.
Plant the 5 corms in spring, 5 cm (2 in.) deep and 10 cm (4 in.) apart, in fertile, light, freely drained soil. Full sun encourages sturdy stems and abundant bloom, although light partial shade is tolerated. Water after planting, then maintain even moisture without standing water. Incorporate mature compost and feed moderately once growth becomes active. In windy positions, place corms among sturdy perennials that support arching stems naturally. Light mulch conserves summer moisture without covering emerging shoots. Mark the planting clearly so routine cultivation never damages the developing leaves or shallow roots.
Lucifer crocosmia, also called montbretia, creates a striking focal point in borders, naturalistic gardens, and bouquets. Pair this scarlet red crocosmia with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, salvias, and ornamental grasses. Cut selected stems as the first buds open while retaining foliage that replenishes the corms. After flowering, remove faded sprays and let leaves yellow naturally. In Zone 5, protect the crown with mulch applied after the soil freezes; in a very exposed district, store a few corms dry as insurance. Divide crowded clumps every four or five years to maintain vigour, and replant strong corms at the recommended depth and spacing.
Light and life cycle
In the garden
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
- Life cycle
- Hardy perennial
- Hardiness
- Zones 5 to 9; mulch is recommended in colder areas
Planting and establishment
Planting guide
Planting & establishment
Planting depth
5 cm
Spacing / density
10 cm (4 in.) between corms
Planting period
Printemps, après les gelées
Propagation
Corms and separation of cormlets during dormancy
Growing method
Au printemps, plantez les cormes à environ 5 cm de profondeur et à 10 cm les uns des autres, dans un sol réchauffé, fertile et bien drainé. Choisissez le soleil ou la mi-ombre et arrosez pendant la croissance. Dans les régions froides, conservez les cormes hors gel en hiver.
Soil and care
Soil and care
Soil & care
Soil pH
6.0 to 7.0
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 5. 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 colder Canadian regions gardens.
Minimum temperature
Approximately −34°C in freely drained soil, corresponding to Zone 5
Care level
Moderate
Watering
Régulier en croissance, sans eau stagnante
Soil type
Fertile, frais et bien drainé
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.
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 5. 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.
Growing in containers
Container growing
Container growing
Recommended pot size
Choose a large, stable container with drainage holes and enough room to space the corms 10 cm (4 in.) apart.
For 5 corms, use a heavy container at least 35 to 80 to 100 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.
Growth and flowering
Size, flowering & harvest
Mature height
Environ 100 cm selon le fournisseur
Width / spread
Environ 30 cm selon le fournisseur
Flower color
Vivid scarlet red
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, vivid scarlet red, 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.
Harvest
July to September. Cut stems for bouquets or leave them in the garden until flowering finishes.
Garden companions
Garden associations
Companion plants & uses
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.
Other recommended plants
Échinacées, sauges et graminées adaptées au soleil et à un sol drainé.
Garden use
In a border, arrange all 5 corms in two staggered rows or a relaxed cluster so the slender stems create a collective presence. Position the group near the middle of the bed, in front of dark foliage that emphasizes the orange-red petals and golden centre. Lucifer crocosmias suit warm-toned gardens, colour plantings, cut-flower borders, and temporary tropical schemes. Pair them with compact dahlias, cannas, blue salvias, tall verbena, and fine grasses that bloom or remain structured at the same time. Near a patio, flowers release colour as evening temperatures decline. An elevated container brings the blooms closer to view and simplifies fall lifting, but requires careful moisture monitoring. Avoid cool, shaded positions that delay flowering and low areas where corms may rot. In short-summer regions, start plants indoors so buds open before frost. Keep selected spikes in the garden and harvest others progressively. After foliage yellows, lift the corms and replace their space with fall bulbs or a cool-season annual. This rotation preserves visual continuity without leaving bare ground. Label the planting discreetly because foliage may emerge later than neighbouring perennials. Leave access for fall lifting rather than burying the corms beneath permanent groundcover or landscape fabric.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How deep and in which direction should the corms be planted?
In spring, plant the corms with the pointed end facing up. Van Noort recommends planting this five-corm pack 5 cm (2 in.) deep and spacing the corms 10 cm (4 in.) apart.
Why does my Lucifer 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 Lucifer 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
Wildlife & precautions
Attracts birds
Yes
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.
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