Crocosmia 'Fire King'
(Crocosmia, Crocosmia Jackanapes)
Origin: Hybridizer, Krelage (1905)
Family: Liliaceae
Light: Full sun
Height: 2-3'
Spacing: 6-12"
Blooms: Showy, initially orange then matures to bright fiery red, tubular, mid-Summer
Foliage: Herbaceous, dark green, linear, sword-shaped
Soil: Well-drained, moist, normal garden soil
Water: Moderate, reduce Winter
Propagation: Seeds, bulb/offset divisions
Uses: Perennial bed, cut flower, hummingbird garden, around ponds, perennial bed
Comments: Crocosmia 'Fire King' or Crocosmia or Crocosmia Jackanapes is hybrid bulbous plant with a clumping growth habit. It is of hybrid origin by hybridizer Krelage (1905). Crocosmia Jackanapes has dark green, herbaceous linear foliage. In mid-Summer, Crocosmia 'Fire King' produces showy orange tubular blossoms maturing to a brilliant fiery red, followed later by seeds. Hummingbirds and bees are magnetized by its nectar-rich blossoms. Florists are delighted with the cut flowers. Jackanapes is easily propagated from offset or corm divisions and planted in Spring. It performs best in well-drained, moist soil with added bonemeal, in a sunny to part shade location. Remove spent flowers enable corms to necessary food for the Winter. Trim leaves in Fall. Mass plant Crocosmia 'Fire King' in perennial bed for an eye-catching display. Use them around ponds. In colder areas, lift bulb n store in peat in dark dry place.
USDA Zones: 5-9
