CROCOSMIA is a small genus of flowers from the IRIS family native to South African grasslands. The plant (common name 'Devil's Tongue') can be identified by its sword-shape foliage and showy, eye-catching red, tubular flowers growing on spikes. The name comes from the Greek word 'froskos' for saffron and 'osme' for scent and was named so b/c when the flower is dried and steeped in water it develops the scent of saffron.

I grow several CROCOSMIA, all of them the bright red variety known as 'Lucifer' What I find so interesting is that the ones in the far gardens blossom so much earlier than the ones up near my house. Regardless, they are all incredibly easy to grow, hardy, long-lasting and basically pest and disease free.

In the image seen here (taken on a very warm, clear morning) I photographed a single spike whose tubular blossoms had not yet opened. Despite the colors you see here when these are completely open the flowers will be solidly red. Definitely one of my favorites as the red flowers sway on their 4'+ spikes.