Crocosmia 'Lucifer'
montbretia bulbs
- 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 in cold areas)
Masses of bright red flowers are produced along the top of the slightly arching spikes in midsummer. This is a vigorous plant with sword-shaped, pleated, mid-green leaves. It is perfect for planting in big, bold swathes through ‘hot’ themed borders, and its upright habit and airy sprays of flowers make it an ideal partner for many flowering grasses. The flowers are also excellent for cutting. - Garden care: Plant the corms (bulbs) in spring approximately 8-10cm deep and 10-15cm apart. 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.
Dahlia 'Bishop of Llandaff'
dahlia
Bright red flowers and purple foliage
Achillea filipendulina 'Cloth of Gold'
yarrow
Flat, plate-like yellow flowers on tall stems
Helenium 'Waldtraut'
sneezeweed
Bronze-orange, daisy-like fliowers and long season
Kniphofia 'Tawny King'
red hot poker
Dramatic spikes of creamy flowers
Seaside
Gardening by the coast offers specific challenges and opportunities. You can take advantage of the mild climate to grow not-so-hardy plants with confidence, but will have to choose them carefully to ensure they can cope with the buffeting winds...
Read full articleDaylily
These lovely plants produce a succession of lily-like flowers each of which lasts for just one day. At first, this seems rather disappointing, but they are such bright, exotic flowers and produced in such profusion that this isn't actually a...
Read full articleCordyline
Cordylines are tufted evergreen shrubs that originate from Southeast Asia and the Pacific rim, where they mature to form awkwardly shaped stubby trees with tufts of spiky leaves that resemble huge pineapple tops at the end of each branch. In...
Read full article