Plant of the month
Crocosmias, of which Monbretia is the best known, is one of the
richest coloured of all the midsummer flowers.
Natives of South Africa and
related to irises, they are completely hardy, virtually disease-free, and
flower fit to bust.
Left to themselves they develop in solid clumps which have to be
lifted and divided every three years or so.
'Lucifer' is the fieriest of all with flame-red flowers, while 'Emily
McKenzie' certainly has the largest flowers which are dark orange with a
red throat.
'Citronella' is the most delicate with its warm yellow
flowers, while 'Star of the East' is a soft apricot-yellow.
These are plants that do need a warm sunny spot in the garden, but are
not fussy about the soil. Well-drained thin sandy soil is perfect for
them, and not only do they fire up the summer border, they are great for
cutting.
