Marianne, you are not alone. I have had Crocosmia "Lucifer" two different times. I planted a start from my neighbor and it came back thick the next year, but then died out. This happened twice. Short life for a perennial? It isn't bi-ennial, because it still has never come back. Can't wait to see some responses to your question.

Crocosmia isn't the hardiest plant in the world. Lucifer is fairly reliable here in that is spreads faster than it dies off. Since the corms can be lifted and overwinters (or so I've heard) varieties can easily show up at garden centers that aren't hardy locally in the ground. These should be labelled NOT HARDY in large letters, but that isn't always the case.

I always dig the ones I have and store dry and cool/cold over winter, but I'm in a zone where most probably wouldn't survive the winter outdoors.

I did make an interesting observation the last couple of years. These do much, much better for me when planted in large pots rather than planted directly in the garden. I think it may have something to do with regular watering. It's just easier for me to keep things moist in pots rather than in the ground. I've had the same experience with cannas.

Kevin

This will be my fourth year for Crocosmia Lucifer. It has come up each year and it has multiplied. It seems like each year they double. We grow them in a sunny spot and fertilize a little in the spring. We also water when it is dry. We enjoy all the hummingbirds that are attracted to them. So far we have had great luck with them. Hope they continue this year after saying this.
Betty

Thanks all. I guess it's not in the wettest of spots, but I have watered some over the summer. The tip about burying the corms in a pot is a good one and I will try it next year if they show up again. I just love that billowing look that you see in the candy garden books! BTW, in those books they always seem to bloom in the early fall (judging from what else is in bloom in the photos), but they always bloom in mid-summer for me. Anyone else with blooming information?

Marianne

I've planted them all around my property, but the ones that come back and flower every year are planted against the south-facing side of the house...a warmer, protected from the wind, micro-climate. There are tons of strappy leaves, and few stems of flowers, but they are spectacular and always get a comment from visitors.

I agree with that assessment. My former boss took me to see his garden one summer day. I almost died of jealousy when I saw his gorgeous patch of Lucifer - I couldn't believe it. His was amazing and I never had luck. We live in the same town yet his was almost the size of a bush. We figured out he had a little protected environment in his backyard. He had a small city lot and I live in the burbs with a much larger and open yard. He must have been 1/2 to a zone warmer than me. Plant them where they will get the most protection and sun in your yard and mulch them heavily in the winter. Mine bloom mid-late summer also.

I had no great success with Lucifer in my old garden though I tried it a number of times. The soil was rich, but it was up in a raised bed so I don't think it was a drainage issue. All I got the second year after planting was a few weak shoots.

In my new garden, it is planted in less well amended soil, *on a slope* here, sandy subsoil, so that I know the drainage is good. I also know that the plant is far less crowded than in the old one. From a quart pot in 2005, I had a clump 3-4' across by this year, loaded with flowers and setting the hummers into a frenzy. Loved it! My newer garden is definitely colder than the old place too, winter temps are consistently 5 degrees colder, and I have never protected the plant. Based on my experience, I suspect that good drainage and uncrowded conditions helped with success. I have also overwintered Star of Babylon 2 years without any coddling. It hasn't increased as fast but seems to be settled in, blooms later and has larger orangey flowers. I find these plants very appealing -- in, before, and after bloom. They have much better than average presence in the garden after bloom than most perennials, and I am eager to try as many as I can find. Some will not make in a zone 5b climate, but, who knows.....

I am following this thread with great interest, as Crocosmia is one of the plants I most want to try for the first time next year. It seems to me that I remember reading somewhere that Lucifer likes to be divided each year, as it has a tendency to crowd itself out. Do NOT take this as gospel (I have a middle-aged brain.:)! But if you want to comment on it, I would be interested to hear your opinion.

For those of you who have experience with Crocosmias, do you have any recommendations on a favorite one? I have read about Sulfatare, but the only place I ever found it was Heronswood, just before it was sold, so I never got it.

Hmmm, I wonder if my crocosmia is too crowded where it is. I will move it in the Spring if it comes back. Donnabaskets, I googled Solfatare and found a vendor in California. It does look yummy indeed.

Marianne

Here is a link that might be useful: Crocosmia Solfatare

Actually, I have seen huge clumps here that are 7-8 years old and have never been touched. I think part of the secret is to give them the space to expand, not necessarily that they need so much dividing, especially in zones where they are marginal in hardiness (z5 and 6a)

Thank you, laperouse, for the link. It's a very interesting website. I never cease to be amazed at how many nurseries, etc. there actually are in this country! The picture of Solfatare just makes me want it all the more. (The $12.00 minimum shipping charge will make me continue the search before jumping on board.)

David, how far apart did you plant your corms in the beginning? Do you suppose the length of our growing season (March to November) might make the over-crowding situation unique to the south?

I grow Crocosmia as a companion in my large daylily garden. 'Lucifer' has been in place for many years. It has never been divided and blooms every year. C.masonorum also does well for me. 'Bressingham Beacon' is newer in my garden. This will be it's third year. I have not had good luck with any of the yellows.

My garden gets a large amount of water during the growing season. I was told years ago that Crocosmia was hard to grow, but it's always been very happy here. I think it must be the water.
Karen

I suspect that it is related to moisture levels. I live in the UK, where we get a high rainfall, and the common orange variety is a real weed round here. Most people just chuck it out. It grows everywhere, and I had a huge clump in the very wettest and worst drained part of the garden. When I dug it up it, there were chains of corms (it grown a new one each year) at least 20 or 30 (ie years) long.

It is so common that I have got rid of it all and just have a new small patch of Lucifer. That too is in a wet part where it gets virtually no sun, and appears to be very happy.

Friends,

Help!!! I ordered crocosmia masonorum. I have never seen crocosmias so I don't know what I'm up against here. I got six corms. Should I be planting all the bulbs together or should I spread them out. The package says the ht. is 4-5 feet.

Then, the company also sent me 5 bulbs of Crocosmia Red King. I was going to put them in a pot. The bulbs are so small. I can't imagine putting them in more than 1 pot.

Please help.

Gardenbud

garden bud, I would plant all 5 of the corms in one pot - you can seperate them when they get crowded in a couple years - same with the masonorum.