Garden crocus , also known as vermilion, is an onion plant that enlivens the garden in summer with its intensely colored, cup-shaped flowers.Growing crocosmiain the garden doesn't have to be difficult as long as you meet a few basic requirements of this plant. Get to know the most interestingvarieties of cinnabarrecommended for gardens, make sure it is possible towintering crocosmia bulbsin the ground, and learn how to reproduce this plant.
Cinnabar, crocosmia - (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)
Fig. pixabay.com
Cynobrówka, crocosmia - description of the appearance
Garden crocosmia(Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora), also known as vermillion or montbrescia, is a hybrid of naturally occurring species in Africa and Madagascar. This plant belongs to the Iridaceae family, as are irises that are much loved by gardeners.
This decorative, bulbous perennial forms clumps of narrow, sword-shaped leaves. Between them, there are 90 cm long inflorescence shoots crowned with loose spikes composed of a dozen or so goblet-shaped flowers. Brightly colored (yellow, red or orange) crocosmia flowers develop systematically from the bottom.Cynobrówka blooms from July to September
Cynobrówka, crocosmia - application
Crocuses look great when planted in large groupsnext to other taller, flowering plants (such as daylilies and Echinacea) or surrounded by summer perennials such as Echinacea, Echinacea or Perennial.Vermillion brownies look equally good in the company of species such as: phlox and slop, as well as ornamental grasses, which give the whole composition lightness.Grown in potsdwarf varieties of Vermillion Vermillion(e.g. 'Little Redhead' or 'George Davison') are a fantastic decoration for a terrace or balcony. The apartment can also be brightened withdecorative crocosmia earsarranged in a vase. If you want to cut the shoots into a vase, it should be done when the first lower flowers in the ears are developing.
Cinnabar, crocosmia - (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)
Fig. pixabay.com
Cynobrówka, crocosmia - varieties
There are many varieties of crocosmia in cultivation, the most popular of which are:
Garden crocosmia 'Lucifer'- one of the older and more resistant varieties that can winter in the ground (included in the plant frost resistance zone 6).High inflorescence shoots (100-120 cm) are crowned with densely embedded, bright red and small flower calyxes.
Garden crocosmia 'George Davison'- is a variety with intense yellow flowers, reaching up to 60 cm in height. It can winter in the ground.
Garden crocus 'Sonate'- delights with intense yellow flowers. It is relatively hardy and can hibernate in the ground. It grows up to 80 cm in height.
Garden crocus 'Emily McKenzie'- has fantastic two-color flowers: orange with a red center. Reaches 60-120 centimeters in height.
Garden crocus 'Voyager'- in warmer parts of the country it can winter in the ground under cover. Large, yellow flowers are placed quite loosely on the stem, reaching approx. 70-80 cm.
Garden crocosmia 'Princess'- this is a variety with red flowers hibernating in the ground. It grows up to 70-90 cm in height.
Garden crocus 'Lucifer'
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Cynobrowka, crocosmia - cultivation
Cynobrówka feels best in a sunny and warm position . It requires fertile, humus-rich and well-drained soil, with a pH ranging from neutral to slightly alkaline. Like other onion types, crocosmia does not tolerate heavy, wet soils and overflow.
Removing weeds, watering plants (crocosmia has high water requirements) and fertilization (every 3 weeks with multi-component mineral fertilizers or organic fertilizers) are the most importantcare treatments in the cultivation of vermilion .
The plant must not set seeds, as this weakens the bulbs and results in weaker growth and flowering. Therefore,immediately after flowering, remove the dried vermilion inflorescences .
Plant the vermilion tubers from mid-Aprilplacing them at a depth of 5-10 cm.The recommended spacing for planting crocosmia bulbs is 10 to 15 cm between the bulbs. Frost-resistant varieties of cinnabar can also be planted in September. Small tubers are sown in the grooves like seeds.
At the appropriate sitethe Krokosmia grows quickly and forms dense clusters of . Therefore, it is recommended to divide the clumps and replant the plants once every 3-4 years.
Cinnabar, crocosmia - (Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora)
Fig. pixabay.com
Vermilion, crocosmia - wintering
Most varieties of vermilion can be left in the ground for winterThey should winter without any problems, as long as they are properly protected against frost. Plants hibernating in the ground should not be removed from dried leaves, as they provide additional protection for the tubers against cold and moisture. To protect vermilion tubers, mulch them with compost, straw, garden bark or dry leaves.
However, if we live in an area with a more severe climate, we should dig upcrocosmia tubers in October , even if the leaves are not yet dry. After cleaning and drying, we store them in a cool room (8-10 ° C), protected against drying with moist sand, peat or sawdust.
Vermillion, crocosmia - reproduction
Garden crocuses are hybrids, so propagated by seeds do not repeat parental characteristics. Therefore, the indicatedmethod of reproduction of vermillions is division of tubers .
Vermillion tubers are dug up at the beginning of October , after cutting leaves and shoots. A feature of this species is the formation of a chain of tubers growing one above the other, as if in a chain. As it grows, the onion chain descends deeper and deeper into the soil. If you want to replant such a wintering variety, you should dig deep, where the largest tubers are. After drying and cleaning, we store the tubers until spring.
MSc Eng. Anna Błaszczak
