crocosmia-which is which?

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone else was confused about the varieties of this bulb. I looked at the plant data base under the lucifer type. It shows pics of several and none of them look alike to me. One has red flowers with red stalks, and the other are different. Can you tell me how tell them apart? I have several different types and didn't know which ones I actually would like to add to my collection based on the pictures I am seeing. Thanks for any help you can give me on this quesiton.
JanetS

Too bad we don't have an expert here :(

All I can say is that I purchased mine from Bluestone about 8 years ago. I think we are all at the mercy of the vendors who lable or mis-lable and then sell to us, and why PlantFiles is so important.

Speaking of Crocosmia 'lucifer', any advice on how far apart to plant them? I just bought a pack from the nursery yesterday and they look like they will be beautiful. Bulbs are 1.5 inches in diameter so I hope they'll bloom this year. I'd love to get some advice how to grow these guys.

Here's a lil info on spacing:
http://www.bulb.com/summerguide98/crocosmia.asp
http://www.dutchbulbs.com/gardenguide/bulb22.htm

And a nifty little guide for bulb depths:
http://www.gardenexpress.com.au/index.html?target=growing_guide/Bulb_IDandDepth/Bulb_IDandDepth.html&lang=en-us

Now, I know nothing about crocosmia but it sure likes a pretty one to add to the garden! :)

Donna

P.S. You might want to post these questions over in the Bulbs Forum, too.

This message was edited Feb 27, 2005 6:18 PM

They spread pretty quickly so if you plant them too closely they will need to be thinned out sooner. I think if you put them eight to twelve inches apart you will be surprised how quickly they fill the gaps and how thick they will get. Good luck with the new additions! I love mine, they grow like crazy in the sun or partial shade and are just "sweet" flowers!'
JanetS

See the stand or narrow green blades to the right in this picture, it is crocosmia that was only two years old, about ten bulbs planted closely and this was two years later! They are beautiful though! Been thinning out every year since!

I think I planted a couple about 3" apart so will thin them out when I get a chance. Is it okay to plant them this early? We still get occasional frosts.

Mine are in the ground under some mulch, ground might be frozen under it, so I don't think you can plant them too early where you live. Being on the other side of the state my climate is very different from yours. I was over there a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed how "springy" everything looks.

Yes, they will tolerate frost well. I don't think it will hurt them at all. Some of mine aren't even mulched well and they do great anyway.
JanetS