CROCOSMIA (Iridaceae)
Montbretia

     'Babylon' ~ A recent and outstanding introduction from Holland, this large-flowered (2-1/4 inch), 3-foot-tall hybrid produces flaring, rich red blooms with yellow stamens in August and September. Like all crocosmias, it favors fertile soil, summer moisture, and full sun, and looks and does well in a pot or vase (hybrid crocosmias were first developed for use as cut flowers). Subtropical; SE Africa. Zone 6/7. 7/8cm corms.

SOLD OUT

     'Carmin Brilliant' ~ An old (late 19th century) and still unsurpassed hybrid, freely producing deep lipstick-red, yellow-stamened blooms on 30-inch stems in July and August. As with most of the smaller-flowered hybrids it is relatively hardy. Zone 6. 7+cm corms.

SOLD OUT

Courtesy David Fenwick, The African Garden

     'Constance' ~ The large flowers of this relatively new C x crocosmiiflora hybrid are rich burnt-orange inside with a central splash of lemon-yellow, and deep nasturtium-orange outside. They appear on 30- to 36-inch stems in late summer. Zone 6. 7/8cm corms.

SOLD OUT   Courtesy David Fenwick, The African Garden

     'Emberglow' ~ Smoldering red, tubular flowers abundantly borne in opposing ranks on 40-inch stems in midsummer. Remarkably hardy. Zone 5. 8+cm corms.

SOLD OUT   Courtesy David Fenwick, The African Garden

     'Emily McKenzie' ~ One of the hardiest of the large-flowered crocosmias and also one of the loveliest, bearing warm orange, maroon-splotched blooms on 30-inch stems from mid- to late summer. Zone 6. 6+cm corms.

SOLD OUT   Courtesy David Fenwick, The African Garden

     'George Davison' ~ Another outstanding heirloom variety, raised in 1902 by its namesake, and prized for its pure lemon-yellow mid-summer flowers, borne on well-branched, 2-foot stems. Zone 6. 6+cm corms.

SOLD OUT   Courtesy David Fenwick, The African Garden

     'Lucifer' ~ The best-known crocosmia and entirely deserving of its fame, this Alan Bloom hybrid ignites the midsummer garden with panicles of blazing red flowers on 3- to 4-foot stems. Its broad, pleated, sword-like leaves are also highly ornamental (as are those of all its kin). Zone 5. 10+cm corms.

SOLD OUT   Courtesy David Fenwick, The African Garden

     'Mistral' ~ Recently introduced, this chance seedling of the relatively hardy C . masonorum is notable both for its hardiness and for its bumper crop of geranium-red flowers on 3- to 4-foot stems in July and August. Zone 5/6. 8+cm corms.

SOLD OUT

     'Plaisir' ~ David Fenwick, holder of a British national collection of Crocosmia, highly recommends this little-known but "superb" hybrid, which bears very large, flaring, reddish-orange flowers on 3-foot stems in late summer. Relatively tender, it is best grown in containers north of zone 7. 6+cm corms.

SOLD OUT   Courtesy David Fenwick, The African Garden

     'Venus' ~ Cheery, deep orange and yellow flowers on 3-foot stems are ideal for brightening the midsummer border. Hardy and vigorous. Zone 5/6. 7/8cm corms.

SOLD OUT

     'Voyager' ~ Another outstanding but little-known cultivar, bearing large, flaring, daffodil-yellow flowers on 30-inch stems in mid to late summer. Zone 6. 7/8cm corms.

SOLD OUT   Courtesy David Fenwick, The African Garden

   
CURCUMA (Zingiberaceae)
Pinecone ginger

     'Pink Wonder' ~ A standout hybrid ginger, bringing a summer-long succession of soft-pink, featherduster blooms on 2-foot stems to the sunny or semi-shaded garden or patio (where it makes an excellent container plant). The foliage is equally ornamental. Winter-dormant. Tropical; Thailand. Zone 8.

1/$6.50    5/$27    10/$45

   
CYRTANTHUS (Amaryllidaceae)
Fire lily

     falcatus ~ The drooping, salmon-pink trumpets (on 8- to 12-inch stems) of this distinctive and woefully underappreciated Natal native would be a garden or greenhouse highlight even if they didn't arrive in early spring. A winter-dormant denizen of mountain cliffs, it warrants testing north of its putative hardiness range. Subtropical/montane. Zone 9. Flowering-size bulbs.

SOLD OUT

     loddigesianus ~ Although unaccountably rare in the trade, this summer-grower is well worth growing for its clusters of white, cream-tinged, 2-inch-long trumpets on 7-inch scapes in early summer. Grassy leaves appear with the flowers. Subtropical; E Cape. Zone 9. Flowering-size bulbs.

SOLD OUT

     mackenii var. cooperi ~ The Ifafa lily's sprightly clusters of tubular, 2-inch-long, sulfur-yellow flowers (on 1-foot stems) cast a sweet fragrance over the late-winter garden or greenhouse. The strappy, semi-evergreen leaves add to its ornamental value. It joins its cyrtanthean kin in disliking heat (give it some shade in southern gardens) and requiring good drainage. Subtropical; E Cape. Zone 9. Flowering-size bulbs.

SOLD OUT

     montanus ~ Yet another desirable member of this wonderful genus, this close relative of C.  elatus bears dazzling clusters of upfacing starry orange-red trumpet flowers on 1-foot scapes in summer over semi-evergreen leaves. A must for the greenhouse, living room, lightly shaded garden, or any other well-lit but not too hot location. Subtropical; S Africa. Zone 9. 12+cm bulbs.

1/$3.50    5/$14    10/$23

   
DRIMIA (Hyacinthaceae)

     maritima (Urginea maritima ) ~ Giving the impression of an out-of-season Eremurus, the white-flowered, bottlebrush racemes of this heat-lover arise on 2- to 5-foot stems in August and September. It requires a summer dormant period. Pan-Mediterranean. Zone 8.

1/$3.50    5/$14    10/$23