Lucifer positively glows in the early evening

[revmichael]

This is the first year I've had a really good show with

Crocosmia 'Lucifer'

and I find in this rather strange light we are getting at the moment that it almost seems on fire in the early evening.

Sadly I can't capture it in photos.

But here's an idea of what mine looks like (in a rare patch of sunshine yesterday).




Do other tog gardeners find the similar things with this plant?

[Peek]

Ours has flowered much more this year Rev, as has most of the garden. I hadn't noticed the light on it, mainly as it's at the side of the house, and I only go up and down there during the daytime....but I will make a point of going out to have a peek this evening, though if it's raining it won't have the same effect.

[faeryboots]

The broads bashers that visited this weekend certainly seemed impressed with mine, they are looking good and as you say, with a good sunset and a bit of a breeze they do look as though they are on fire.

[revmichael]

peek said:

Ours has flowered much more this year Rev, as has most of the garden. I hadn't noticed the light on it, mainly as it's at the side of the house, and I only go up and down there during the daytime....but I will make a point of going out to have a peek this evening, though if it's raining it won't have the same effect.

Actually Peek, mine seem to glow even if there is no sun.
They seem to be best just shortly before it gets dark.
In fact I've just been to look out of the lounge window and, although it is very dull and drizzling with rain, they look very bright despite, or perhaps because of the dreariness around them.

[ivy noidea]

I have a crocosmia (under my buddleia) but I don't think it is Lucifer. It is one of the many plants I have in the garden which I grew from cuttings my Dad gave me. Our garden had nothing in it when we moved in so Dad saved me a small fortune!

I don't know what the buddleia is either but it has much finer leaves than some of the ones I have seen.

[bittymatriarch]

Don't think mine are in flower at the moment Too much rain, probably.

If I remember rightly, it tends to flower later on - so maybe it isn't "Lucifer", but a close relation

[territalks]

Hi Rev
I have these in pots I did not know what they were called!
Mine have been so bright, that is all I can say about them! Some are still yet to come out.
Love
TT xxxx

[Shuggie]

Try collecting the seeds in the autumn. Sew them immediately and leave in a cold frame until spring. They will flower in a couple of years .. and you will suprised at the results .. particularly if (for cross-pollination purposes) you have other crocosmias (or even bog-standard Montbretias) in the vicinity of Lucifer.

[tigerlily]

I've just seen this now and was reminded that that was the name of the plant I'd been trying to think of the name of for Faery, only of course she knows now.

[carlott]

We've got that but Tiglet grubs it out.

[Janglers]

bittymatriarch said:

Don't think mine are in flower at the moment Too much rain, probably.

If I remember rightly, it tends to flower later on - so maybe it isn't "Lucifer", but a close relation

I agree with you Betty: I thought it flowered much later than the more 'common' one.

[sarah]

my neighbour has got one, and it's a real beauty too.
xx

[shemlock]

shuggie said:

Try collecting the seeds in the autumn. Sew them immediately and leave in a cold frame until spring. They will flower in a couple of years .. and you will suprised at the results .. particularly if (for cross-pollination purposes) you have other crocosmias (or even bog-standard Montbretias) in the vicinity of Lucifer.

I started with one clump of Lucifer, but as it became larger, I split it. This is very easy as it is made up of bulbous corms. Over the years, I have continued to do this and now have Lucifer everywhere. Also, it flowers the following year when split, so it doesn't take as long as growing from seed. I do this with the orange variety crocomosia.

[Janglers]

I was wrong with my knowledge lucifer. Thought somebody may find what I read, of interest, although it is from and Amercian site, hence the overwintering, which of course we don't have to worry about in Britain.


Cousins to the gladiola, these are hardy plants that produce clumps of green sword-shaped leaves, with tall, arching spikes of funnel-shaped blossoms appearing in mid to late summer. Several named varieties are now available, in a range of hot colours. This selection has brilliant flame-red flowers, and a tall habit. Outstanding cut flowers. Clumps should be divided every three years, in spring. Watch for spider mite and thrips on the foliage. In colder regions, the corms can be stored like gladioli, wintered in pots, or mulched heavily outdoors.

[Shuggie]

shemlock said:

shuggie said:

Try collecting the seeds in the autumn. Sew them immediately and leave in a cold frame until spring. They will flower in a couple of years .. and you will suprised at the results .. particularly if (for cross-pollination purposes) you have other crocosmias (or even bog-standard Montbretias) in the vicinity of Lucifer.

I started with one clump of Lucifer, but as it became larger, I split it. This is very easy as it is made up of bulbous corms. Over the years, I have continued to do this and now have Lucifer everywhere. Also, it flowers the following year when split, so it doesn't take as long as growing from seed. I do this with the orange variety crocomosia.

In most cases, the seeds of Lucifer produce more Lucifer. Once in a while, though, they produce sports with different colour flowers. I have a yellow/orange sport which, I imagine, came from cross pollination from my neighbour who has the variety "Malahide Castle". Seed-grown specimens do, however, take about 3 years to produce flowers.

[Lucy Lastic]

the only problem I have with Lucifer is stopping it growing. I split the clumps regularly and back it comes, bigger than before .....the little (or not so little) devil!!

[lemanie]

I love these plants, now i know their name i can go and find some to put in my garden, thank you