(Lavell's Hybrid Hawthorn)

A small deciduous tree that offers year-round interest, this hybrid hawthorn originated in the late nineteenth century at the Arboretum de Segrez in France. It bears clusters of mildly fetid white flowers in late spring, followed by small spherical fruits that ripen orange-red in fall. The toothed, oval, glossy dark green leaves may turn burgundy or gold tones in fall. They typically remain into winter, partially hiding the persistent fruit. The silver-gray branches are spiny on young trees; unarmed...

(Cape Lily, Ellen Bosanquet Cape Lily)

A vigorously-dividing bulbous perennial, 'Ellen Bosanquet' is a hybrid crinum loved by gardeners since its introduction in the 1920s. It is notable for its large, spicy-scented, trumpet-shaped, reddish-violet flowers that bloom through summer and for its vigorously dividing growth. The leaves are strap-shaped, wavy, and glossy. They emerge from the bulb in a tight bundle and form an arching fountain as they extend. The leafless flower stems are topped by a cluster of outward-facing flowers.

The...

(Bengal Lily, Cape Lily)

Native to South Africa, the cape lily is a bulbous clumping perennial with narrow tapering green leaves overlain with a grayish bloom and bare, upright, unbranched flower stems topped by fountain-like clusters of large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped pink or white flowers. In warm climates, the bulb may flower repeatedly. In cooler climates it blooms in spring. Among crinums, which are mainly warm climate bulbs, it is perhaps the most tolerant of cool to cold conditions. There are reports of bulbs surviving...

(Bengal Lily, Jumbo Begal Lily)

Native to South Africa, the cape lily is a bulbous clumping perennial with narrow tapering green leaves overlain with a grayish bloom and bare, upright, unbranched flower stems topped by fountain-like clusters of large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped pink or white flowers. In warm climates, the bulb may flower repeatedly. In cooler climates it blooms in spring. Among crinums, which are mainly warm climate bulbs, it is perhaps the most tolerant of cool to cold conditions. There are reports of bulbs surviving...

(Moore's Crinum, Natal Lily)

Large lily flowers of white to pink dazzle the eye in spring and summer over the dark green, strappy foliage of the Natal lily. Native to the moist soils of eastern South Africa, it is an evergreen perennial that grows from large bulbs that have an elongated neck.

The fleshy, think and long, dark green leaves are upright from the bulb and flop over with their length. Sometimes the edges are attractively wavy. In late spring to early summer, leafless stalks rise and bear five to ten plump flower...

(Crocosmia, Montbretia)

A brilliant presence in the summer garden, crocosmias are somewhat cold-tender herbaceous perennials native to South Africa. Although represented by several species in the wild, they are best known in gardens by their hybrid cultivars. In summer, spreading clumps of sword-like leaves give rise to tall, slender stems topped with arching flower spikes. The tubular orange, red or yellow flowers have six lobes that flare at the tips. Plants grow from bulb-like corms that spread by underground stolons....

(Crocosmia, Jenny Bloom Montbretia, Montbretia)

Montbretias are herbaceous perennials native to South Africa. This hybrid montbretia bears long arching wands of golden yellow flowers that open from orange buds. The six-lobed blooms, which resemble miniature daylilies, rise on long wiry stems above pleated, erect, iris-like leaves in mid and late summer. The plants grow from corms which spread by underground stolons.

Plant montbretia in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. In colder regions, plant it near...

(Bressingham Beacon Montbretia, Crocosmia, Montbretia)

Montbretias are herbaceous perennials native to South Africa. This hybrid montbretia bears long arching wands of glowing red-orange flowers with yellow eyes. The six-lobed blooms, which resemble miniature daylilies, rise on long wiry stems above pleated, erect, iris-like leaves in mid and late summer. The plants grow from corms which spread by underground stolons.

Plant montbretia in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. In colder regions, plant it near a...

(Crocosmia, Montbretia)

The dazzling bicolored flowers of this somewhat tender herbaceous perennial make a showy splash in the summer garden. Developed by the Irish plant breeder Kevin Pomeroy and introduced by the British firm Blooms of Bressingham, it is one of many garden hybrids of the South African genus Crocosmia, which are collectively known as montbretias.

Irish Sunset™ bears arching wands of upfacing yellow flowers with red-orange reverses and eye markings. Resembling miniature daylilies, the six-lobed,...

(Crocosmia, Montbretia)

Valued for its relatively compact habit and sunny flowers, this herbaceous perennial is one of many garden hybrids of the South African genus Crocosmia. It bears slightly arching wands of flat-faced, golden-yellow flowers with paler centers from mid- to late summer. The six-lobed, long-tubed blooms, which resemble miniature daylilies, rise on knee-high stems above pleated, erect, iris-like leaves. The plants grow from corms which spread moderately by underground stolons.

Plant montbretia...