Crocosmias are a colourful must for any garden

Try and dig it up and you have a challenge on your hands, as it will repeatedly grow back from old corms!

Now the cultivated named varieties of crocosmias grow totally differently. With masses of flowers and fewer leaves they’re worlds apart!

So let’s clear up the difference. Montbretia is actually the common name of all crocosmias. However, the form normally referred to as montbretia is a cross of two native species, which explains its unruly behaviour and why it grows so extremely fast!

One of the best things about crocosmias is that they are weather resistant flowers.

August, as we know, can be a month of unsettled weather, with wind and rain.

These flowers will stand up to it well, unlike other plants that may flop and snap!

If you were at Southport Flower show you will have seen our display of many different varieties we have in our collection which I started at the age of 14!

Tall and short and the whole rainbow of colours from red to yellow and orange to pink, they really do catch the eye.

A particular favourite of mine is Crocosmia Gerb D’or with it rich golden yellow flowers held above deep bronze leaves providing a stunning contrast when in full bloom.

Plant in full sun for best results and feed annually with Vitax Q4, when they are established.

Also divide them up and replant to encourage vigour and strong stems of flower.

But, unlike the common montbretia, these clumps will rarely exceed two feet across, making them a much more suitable answer for the garden.

Now how do you get rid of montbretia if you can’t dig it up?

The best way is with Roundup. Spray it now and once again in May as the herbicide will then travel down the leaves into the roots killing off all the corms and not allowing them to reshoot.

Then wait a month dig out any dead matter and you can plant lots of new varieties in its place. Crocosmias really are a must for any garden.

They’re bright colours are what took my eye, and now as I look around the nursery most summer perennials are starting to look really autumnal.

But the crocosmias really are just starting to get going, so now is the ideal time to plant.

Why not pop in to see our fantastic collection in full bloom on the nursery and also have a peek at our latest piece of silverware from Southport Flower Show!