Painted Montbretia (Crocosmia fucata) is a striking perennial with vibrant, arching stems of scarlet and yellow flowers, blooming in mid to late summer.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun to Partial Shade
75% intensity
Prefers at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for best flowering.
Moderate
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist during active growth, reduce in fall.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Prefers temperatures between 15-25°C during the growing season; can tolerate cooler temperatures.
Outdoor
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Feed during growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water regularly during the growing season, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in autumn as the foliage begins to die back, and water sparingly during winter dormancy.
Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, especially in containers.
Remove spent flower stalks as they fade to encourage further blooming and prevent self-seeding. Cut back all foliage to the ground in late autumn or early spring before new growth emerges.
This tidies the plant and removes any potential disease harborage.
Divide established clumps in early spring or autumn. Corms can also be carefully separated when dormant. Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn or early spring, though flowering may take several years.
Corms are the most reliable method for true-to-type propagation.
Repot container-grown plants every 2-3 years in early spring or autumn. Choose a pot with good drainage and fresh, well-draining potting mix.
This is also an opportunity to divide overgrown clumps and refresh the soil, which improves vigor and flowering.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Iridaceae |
| Genus | Crocosmia |
| Species | Crocosmia fucata |
Similar in genus Crocosmia
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
