Why Plant Lucifer Crocosmia?
Devilishly handsome! Lucifer Montbretia is a stunning Spirit that will stop traffic with its outrageously brilliant red flowers. This flamboyant beauty will bring vibrant color to your landscape for several weeks during the height of summer—at the time when you want to relax in your garden the most. The blossoms will not only please you, but will lure in hummingbirds, too, acting as bright red traffic lights to our feathered friends that say, “Stop here!” You’ll enjoy sitting on your deck or patio and watching the hummers return again and again for sips of sweet nectar from Lucifer’s gorgeous blooms.
Montbretias come to us from South Africa. There aren’t a lot of plants from South Africa’s diverse flora that are often grown in the U.S. The annual Geraniums that you grow outside your door are one exception. Montbretias are another. Lucifer is a hybrid of two species that was bred by the famous English nurseryman, Alan Bloom. It was chosen for its upward-facing flowers, among other things. Montbretia gets its name from a young French botanist, Antoine Francois Coquebert de Montbret. The poor guy didn’t have much of a career though—he died at the tender age of 20.
How to use Lucifer Crocosmia in the landscape?
Butterflies are also fans of Lucifer Montbretia’s intense red flowers. Butterflies pollinate Montbretias in their native South Africa, and it’s a good thing, because South Africa has no hummingbirds (what a bummer!). Sunbirds there have long, thin bills and can pollinate tubular flowers as well.
Planting Zones
Hardiness Zone: 7-9
How To Plant Lucifer Crocosmia
Grow Lucifer Montbretia in a sunny location, giving it a bit of afternoon shade if you live in a very hot climate. Soil should be reasonably fertile, moist, and well drained. One of Lucifer’s enemies is very cold winters. Mulch well in borderline regions. In cold areas, you can lift the corms (bulbs) and store them in a cool, dry place over the winter and replant in spring. The other enemy is spider mites, which leave stippling marks on the leaves and tiny webs if the infestation is severe. The best and safest course of action to control spider mites is to simply spray them off regularly with a jet of water from the hose and to keep the plants properly irrigated so they are not stressed.
How To Water
Water as soon as they arrive! Crocosmia plants need to be watered regularly to maintain evenly moist soil for proper establishment in the landscape.
How Does Shipping Work?
Bower & Branch Trees, the real BIG trees, don’t fit in a box! Our big trees, sizes XL and bigger, require expert delivery and care, that means our extra-large trees are shipped on Bower & Branch trucks. We are the only ones who know how to ship our big and bigger trees and plants with tender loving care. We deliver your trees and plants directly to you. Ask Bower & Branch about planting services – we'd be happy to assist in installation.
*For Big trees and Shrubs, Size XL and bigger: Review our Seasonal Shipping Timelines and Policy here.
Your trees and plants are grown across the United States at various Bower & Branch Growers. Depending on your location, your plant orders may be shipped from various locations. Please expect orders with multiple items to be delivered over a number of days as a result. Orders made up of numerous items or selections will not arrive at your home on the same day.
Shipping Delays:
From time to time, Bower & Branch Growers may determine to delay order shipment based on various factors for plant health. Weather in your region, as well as, where your plants are grown, is always considered when shipping. Extreme weather conditions may delay some or all of your order. Bower & Branch allows our Growers to make final shipping decisions based solely to benefit your trees and plants’ health and success.
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesn't mean just height - it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
