crocosmia/montbretia

andrewf75

I have some of these in various places in my garden, the tall red stuff (Lucifer I believe) and the shorter orange flowered variety. I like both, but have only just become aware of the fact that the orange flowered montbretia is very invasive. My question is: Are there civilised varieties of the small orange flowered stuff or is it definitely the bad stuff? It hasn't really taken over my garden, but I was thinking about moving some to another border.

Davesnave

Yes, there are loads of less invasive varieties than the bog-standard crocosmia, seen growing in places like on the cliffs in Cornwall.

Here's a few to get you started.:


https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Search-Results?form-mode=true&query=crocosmia

The darker-leaved varieties, like Emily Mackenzie, are less tough and may even die out in some gardens.

andrewf75

Thanks. I'll wait for it to grow this spring and try and ID it. But I guess if it hasn't taken over my garden so far (its been there since we moved in 5 years ago) its fair to assume its fine though and replant it wherever I want? Presumably if it was the really rampant stuff it would be everywhere by now?

Davesnave

andrewf75 wrote: »

Thanks. I'll wait for it to grow this spring and try and ID it. But I guess if it hasn't taken over my garden so far (its been there since we moved in 5 years ago) its fair to assume its fine though and replant it wherever I want? Presumably if it was the really rampant stuff it would be everywhere by now?

I don't think they're very troublesome.

It can be hard to remove them all, which is why bits get left behind and re-grow when they're relocated, but digging them isn't that hard.

andrewf75

Davesnave wrote: »

I don't think they're very troublesome.

It can be hard to remove them all, which is why bits get left behind and re-grow when they're relocated, but digging them isn't that hard.

No, I'm not sure what the fuss is about – especially as they are an attractive plant