Lucifer
Montbretia; Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora · Alan Bloom, 1966, UK
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Montbretia; Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora
- Height × spread: 36-48 in (0.9-1.2 m) × 12-24 in (30-60 cm)
- Bloom window: mid to late summer
- Color & flower form: scarlet red, tubular flowers in one-sided sprays
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 5-9
- Breeder / Year / Origin: Alan Bloom, 1966, UK
- Awards/registration: RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM)
- Cut-flower notes: sturdy stems; typical vase life about 5 to 7 days in clean water; hydrate promptly after harvest.
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Taller and more upright than many crocosmias.
- Cold-tolerant for the group; established clumps can overwinter in zone 5 with mulch.
- Large, vivid scarlet spikes show well at a distance.
- Strong, cut-worthy stems compared with typical types.
Strengths
- Reliable mid to late summer display.
- Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Widely proven in gardens and trials; AGM holder.
- Grows in full sun to light shade.
Care in one minute
Choose a site with full sun to light afternoon shade in hot summers.
Soil: moderately fertile and well drained with steady moisture; avoid waterlogged clay.
Plant corms 3 to 4 in deep and 3 to 4 in apart in groups; point up and roots down.
Water during dry spells in summer; allow the surface to dry slightly between soakings.
Feeding: mix in compost at planting; a light spring feed is sufficient.
Deadhead spent sprays; leave foliage to yellow before cutting back; divide congested clumps in spring.
Winter: in zone 5, mulch 2 to 3 in after the ground cools; lift and store in colder spots.
Watch‑outs
- Spreads by chains of corms; divide to control clump size.
- Flowering drops in dry soil; provide steady moisture in summer.
- May need winter mulch at the cold edge of its range.
- Can be prone to spider mites under hot, dry, sheltered conditions.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
‘Lucifer’ is an Alan Bloom selection, often cited as a hybrid involving Crocosmia masoniorum and C. paniculata, chosen for hardiness and showy red flowers.
References
- Royal Horticultural Society – Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
- NC State Extension – Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (cut flower notes)
- RHS – How to grow crocosmias
- Royal Horticultural Society – Potentially harmful garden plants
