Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora Meteore

Opening from tangerine flower buds, Crocosmia x crocosmiiflora 'Meteore' features elegant sprays of large golden-orange flowers with crimson throats and broad rounded petals that are burnt orange on their reverse. Blooming profusely from midsummer through early fall, they rise above clumps of erect, dark gray-green, sword-shaped leaves. Bred in 1887 by French hybridizer Victor Lemoine, this showy South African native is a magnet for hummingbirds and butterflies.

• Great perennial for the late season garden as it provides weeks of vibrant colors when many other perennials are starting to fade.
• Resembling the foliage of sword-lilies, Crocosmia's narrow, bladed leaves also provide interesting vertical accents in the borders.
• Grows up to 24-30 in. tall (60-70 cm) with a spread of 18 in. (45 cm) and begins to produce its lovely blossoms in the summer.
• Excellent border plant providing color and contrast to the perennial border. It looks spectacular in front of green conifers, among dark leaved dahlias and cannas or next to blue-flowering plants such as Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile), Aconitum (Monkshood) or Echinops (Globe Thistle). Should be planted in clumps of 12 or more.
• May be grown in containers – make sure you select a large pot with drainage holes.
• Makes wonderful cut flowers and will last up to 2 weeks in a vase.
• Easily grown in moderately fertile, humus-rich soil that is moist but well-drained. Thrives in full sun or partial shade where it will multiply rapidly and readily.
• Tolerant of summer heat and humidity, it is also drought tolerant (once established), salt tolerant, deer and rabbit resistant.