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The strange, beautiful blooms of “Lucifer” crocosmia.
Photo by L.A. Jackson
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Stop snails and slugs in their (slimy) tracks.
I enjoy writing about plants with strange names—they make me seem smart, bordering on erudite, both of which I aspire to be someday. Crocosmia is just such an example of a garden pretty with a strange name, and I do like to dote on it. So, first, pronounce it correctly: “crow-KOS-me-ah.” Now, let’s grow it.
Crocosmia (Crocosmia sp.), a South African native related to irises and gladioli, is a deer- and rabbit-resistant perennial hardy for all gardens across our state. It is grown from corms, which are swollen underground stems similar to bulbs, and this month is a prime time to plant them. For the best bloom production, choose a site that basks in full sun but, if possible, is screened by late afternoon shade.
The corms should be planted about 4 inches deep and 4 to 5 inches apart in an area that has been heavily amended with compost or quality commercial topsoil, followed by a 3-inch topping of mulch in early June.
As soil temperatures rise, thin, blade-like leaves will emerge and be followed by a dazzling blossom show that usually starts in early summer. The first year’s bloom parade might be a bit underwhelming, but by the time plants are fully established for their second summer season, they should be in maximum flowering flaunt mode.
And they are worth the wait. As the small, tube-shaped flowers open, their bright petals bend back until each blossom fully exposes its pistil and stamens to the four winds. The blooms (hummingbird and butterfly magnets, by the way) are displayed on drooping fans held up by 2- to 3-foot-tall, arching stems that bob in the slightest breeze.
The most popular—meaning, easiest to find—crocosmia cultivar is undoubtedly “Lucifer,” a devilish delight that glows with fire-engine-red flowers. “Emberglow” and “Red King” also sizzle with reddish-orange hues. Mellow for yellow? Cultivars such as “George Davidson” or “Sunglow” can butter up your flower border. And “Prince of Orange” is self-explanatory.
Once established, crocosmias can easily spread—with some selections spreading to the point of bullying neighboring plants. Dividing the clumps in early spring about every three years will help keep these plants in check and, as a bonus, maintain flower production vigor.
Crocosmia is easy to say and grow, and in the summer, when its flowers are in their glory, this beauty is definitely easy to enjoy!
May in the garden
• If you have waited until now to start your summer veggie patch, you haven’t missed out on the garden party. This month is a great time to plant green beans, eggplants, cucumbers, lima beans, collards, okra, sweet potatoes, watermelons, squash, tomatoes and peppers.
• Since recycling comes naturally to gardeners, turn a few leftover beverage cans into something useful: plant labels. Simply cut rectangular strips with tin snips (watch out for jagged edges) and use an old ballpoint pen or metal lettering stamps to indent permanent names into the soft aluminum on the unpainted side.
Tip of the month
Tired of slugs and snails munching on your spring plants? Dispatch them with the next generation of commercial slug and snail killers that contain iron phosphate as the active ingredient. While effective against such slimy intruders, they are safer for use around pets and wildlife than metaldehyde-based products that have been common for years.
You can also get help from the kitchen to battle slugs and snails by applying rings of used caffeinated coffee grounds around any tender targets. You can try sawdust, wood ash or diatomaceous earth sprinkled under plants, too, but if any of these get wet, you will have to reapply them.
L.A. JACKSON is the former editor of Carolina Gardener magazine. Contact him at lajackson1@gmail.com.