Back in 2008, I wrote a piece here about a flurry of new crocosmias – some of which turned out not to be new at all! Now, as a result of new breeding work carried out in Oregon, we have two genuinely new crocosmias added to the 2013 RHS Plant Finder, which came out in April.
Back in 2008, I wrote a piece here about a flurry of new crocosmias – some of which turned out not to be new at all! Now, as a result of new breeding work carried out in Oregon, we have two genuinely new crocosmias added to the 2013 RHS Plant Finder, which came out in April.
‘Twilight Fairy Crimson’ (above) and ‘Twilight Fairy Gold’ (below) are both short, as crocosmias go, reaching only about 40cm, and both have the same smoky bronze foliage that makes the old favourite ‘Solfatare’ so much appreciated. So, like ‘Solfatare’, the leaves make a valuable contribution to the border tapestry long before the flowers open.
‘Twilight Fairy Crimson’ has rich red, flared flowers carried in branched heads on dark stems and with that bronze tint to the foliage. The foliage of ‘Twilight Fairy Gold’ has more of a coppery colouring, and orange-yellow flowers open from orange buds.
Both are good towards the front of sunny borders, in mixed containers, and even as neat cut flowers. Although drought tolerant, they’re best kept moist to keep them flowering well, to help the flowers last as long as possible, and to help prevent spider mite attack.
Editor-in-Chief of the RHS Encyclopedia of Perennials; writer for a wide range of newspapers and magazines including The Garden and The Plantsman; member of the RHS Herbaceous Plant Committee and Floral Trials Committee; author of many books on plants and gardens.
Source: RHS My Garden – Two Brand New Crocosmias – Graham Rice
