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Montbretia

Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Jackanapes

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: moderately-fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: August and September
• Hardiness: frost hardy (needs winter protection)

Beautiful, bicoloured, orange-red and yellow, freesia-like flowers appear on wiry, branching stems in August and September among lance-shaped, mid-green leaves. These fiery montbretia make an excellent cut flower and look gorgeous planted in bold drifts in a sheltered, sunny site. The handsome sword-like foliage provides an ideal contrast in texture to the flower-heads of rudbeckia or dahlia. 

• Garden care: Resist removing the faded foliage in autumn and cover the crown of the plant with bracken or bark chips to protect the plant against frost damage. Lift and divide congested colonies in spring, planting the divided sections 8-10cm (3-4in) deep.