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CROCOSMIA (BRIGHT EYES)

Image of Crocosmia 'Walbreyes' (BRIGHT EYES) PP17165

PlantHaven

Family

Iridaceae

Botanical Name

CROCOSMIA 'Walbreyes'(BRIGHT EYES) PP17165

Plant Common Name

Bright Eyes Crocosmia, Crocosmia, Montbretia

General Description

Selected for its relatively compact habit and large, bright, somewhat up-facing flowers, this recently introduced herbaceous perennial is one of many garden hybrids of the South African genus Crocosmia. Bright Eyes bears arching wands of glowing tangerine flowers with red eyes. The six-lobed blooms, which resemble miniature daylilies, rise on upright knee-high stems above pleated, erect, iris-like leaves in mid and late summer. The sterile flowers do not set seed. The plants grow from corms which spread moderately 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 wall and protect it with a blanket of mulch applied after the ground freezes. In areas where it is not hardy, dig the corms and store them indoors in potting mix for the winter. Divide the clumps every few years to retain vigor. Grow montbretia in mixed borders where you want a splash of bright color. Plant extra to cut. The tubular flowers attract hummingbirds.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 3

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    6 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Bulb or Corm or Tuber

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun

  • Height

    20'-28' / 6.1m - 8.5m

  • Width

    1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m

  • Bloom Time

    Summer

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Loam

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Red, Orange

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Light Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Light Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Cutflower, Edging, Feature Plant, Hedges

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Hummingbirds, Butterflies

  • Self-Sowing

    No