Crocosmia: Summer-Flowering Corms for Late-Season Colour
This post contains affiliate links to Thompson & Morgan. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Most bulb planting talk centres on spring, but crocosmia flowers from midsummer into autumn — exactly when spring bulbs have finished and the border needs a lift.
Why plant crocosmia
Crocosmia corms produce arching, sword-like foliage topped with fiery sprays of trumpet flowers, usually in orange, red or yellow. They're vigorous, easy to grow, and excellent for cutting.
A reliable variety
Crocosmia 'George Davison' (
buy from Thompson & Morgan →) gives clear golden-yellow flowers and multiplies readily once established, forming a bigger clump each year.
Planting timing and depth
Unlike most bulbs on this blog, crocosmia corms go in during spring — March to May — once the risk of hard frost has passed. Plant 8-10cm deep in full sun or light shade, in soil that doesn't waterlog over winter.
Filling the summer gap
Once your spring bulbs and early hardy orchids such as
Dactylorhiza have finished for the year, crocosmia is what keeps the border interesting through July and August without any extra planning.