Solfatare
Montbretia; Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Montbretia; Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora
- Height × spread: 18-24 in (45-60 cm) × 12-20 in (30-50 cm)
- Bloom window: mid to late summer
- Color & flower form: apricot to pale yellow sprays; bronze-tinted foliage
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 6-9
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown, 1897, France
- Cut-flower notes: shorter stems; best for small arrangements when cut as lower florets open.
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Bronze-tinted foliage uncommon in the group.
- More compact and tidy than many crocosmias.
- Softer flower color for subtle plantings.
Strengths
- Good foliage interest beyond bloom.
- Manages front-of-border placements well.
- Attracts pollinators.
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: mulch after hard frost in zone 6; lift and store in colder or very wet winter sites.
Watch‑outs
- Less cold-tolerant than ‘Lucifer’; mulch or lift at the cold edge of its range.
- Clumps spread by corms; divide to maintain vigor.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
An early French selection recorded in the late 19th century; valued historically for its foliage color and soft yellow flowers.
References
- Royal Horticultural Society – Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora ‘Solfatare’
- Royal Horticultural Society – Potentially harmful garden plants
