Extremely attractive and exotic in appearance, Montbretia produces decorative clusters of upright, sword-shaped leaves and glowing sticks of yellow, orange, red, and scarlet tubular flowers that bloom for 5 to 8 weeks from mid-summer to mid-fall.
Montbretia (Crocosmia crocosmiflora) is a hybrid of Montbretia yellow and Montbretia palassima that is native to southern Africa. Montbretia is a genus of around 10 deciduous or evergreen perennials[1] in the Iridaceae (Iris) family.
Montbretia make great late-season perennials because they offer bright colors for weeks when many other perennials begin to fade.
Like the leaves of sword-lilies, the narrow, blade-shaped leaves of the Montbretia also add attractive vertical accents to the edges. Montbretia grows to 30-150 cm (1-5 feet) tall and begins producing beautiful flowers in summer.
Most Montbretia flowers are arranged in an intricate panicle. The plant is ideal as a bedding plant that adds contrast and color to perennial bedding.
