I was looking at these at krogers last night. They have several in bloom. Are they a good hummer plant and how do you care for them.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Steve,

I have had Crocosmia "Lucifer" for several years. It doesn't bloom real long - maybe a month or so - but hummingbirds really do like it when it does bloom and they even defend it !!

It seems to like rich, moist soil in part shade / part sun. I grow mine in a low spot next to my Monarda patch and it seems to bloom just when the monarda is past it's peak. In fact, my Crocosmia is blooming right now.

If you plant a patch of it, it gradually gets bigger and bigger each year - and splits up easily in early spring so you can make more patches - but you wouldn't say it is at all aggressive. It's certainly a worthy addition for the hummingbird garden and a great accent plant. Just keep in mind it doesn't bloom all summer so I wouldn't plant half your backyard in it - but a nice patch of it is well appreciated by hummers. Definitely a "magnet" plant for hummers in my backyard.

Wilmington, Delaware
USDA zone 7a
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 32

Make sure that the soil drains well because they don't like sitting in wet soil. I lost mine this winter. I have grown them for 3 or 4 yrs and the hummers used them a lot

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I don't grow it anymore. I did years ago but there was too much sun for it to be happy. Since that time I've gotten more into native plants or at least "new world" plants This plant is native to South Africa. That being said The hummers who just fledged and their mom love this plant my friends husband planted it. I also noticed a male hummingbird guarding it at the gate of Tyler Arboretum last week. It's currently blooming around here too.

sarah merion station, Pennsylvania zone 6B

Thanks everyone for your input. The ones they have are in bloom with lots of buds thats why it drew my attention. Undecided.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

If I found one locally in bloom you can bet your last dollar that I would buy it. Unfortunately only the corms are available here.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I grow mine on the south side of my house in full sun. It does well in this hot, dry spot. I planted 10 corms 6 years ago and they are still growing strong, many divided since then. Here is a pic of the patch as it is now.



It gets visited by both Black-chinned and Rufous Hummingbirds in my garden.

Jeff

OK Penny-- Just thought I would let you know you talked me into it. I went back over there late tonight and they had 3 left of the previous 8. They were going pretty fast so I knew If I wanted one I better get it then as they would be gone tomorrow. Got two plants. From what I get from what has been said they like rich soil and not all day sun. So I know where they must go. At least for now.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Mine have grown in full sun since about 1990 and except for the evil vole year have thrived. The vole year taught me that I should not heavily mulch the corms in fall. The frost killed leaves combined with a pile of maple leaves made a perfect nesting spot and the mass of corms a perfect larder.

The soil in my main garden has been so amended that I believe anything that goes in there will thrive. When I first turned that soil I could hardly find a worm, now there are worms in every shovel full it seems. I have rocky and heavy clay ground and I have tried all sides of home , but I stuck a tomato plant in a spot of that garden soil adding no amendment of any kind just water and that plant is large and healthy with lots of tomatoes. Anyway I will give these new guys a try and see how they do some have luck with them and some dont. They will go in the ground today.






Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35

Regarding my recent Lucifer purchase Im guessing that the nectar is not acceptable at this point after transplanting as Ive not seen a single hummer go to it and bees dont spend much time there either, of course its in a spot where I cant view it unless Im outside. The bees give the best indicator as to nectar as they spend a lot of time at the penstemons and the bee balm. The bumblebees appear to be defacing my petite delight, the bees also like the black and blue once they get going well. This is experimental if it doesnt turn out to be used much here , its stay will be shortlived in my garden.

Steve
Martinsville, In
Heat zone 6
Sunset zone 35