Topic: Crocosmia- cut back?

[Digitalis]

I have a massive bundle of crocosmias on my plot. They looked lovely in flower, but now are drooped over onto my other beds and look just awful.

However, my plant guide book tells me to leave them be and let them sort themselves out.

This can't be right, can it?

Surely I would need to cut them down to ground level....?

[Flighty]

I always leave mine to die right back before tidying them up!

[ACE]

If they are in the way just cut back the ones that are hanging over, these plants are bombproof but can be intrusive if you let them. The reason for letting them die back is that the goodness goes back into the corms, I leave mine usually but I have dug them up to move them, cut them back, tidied them up all at different times of the year and they still come back next time.

[saddad]

Same here..  :)

[small]

I cut crocosmia (apart from Lucifers, which don't make such a mess anyway) in September because I can't stand their floppy habits.  They don't mind a bit.  I reckon a lot of nonsense is talked about leaving perennials over autumn and winter,I believe in a good hard chop so you can properly see what's what.

[Eristic]

I ruthlessly cut them all to the ground as soon as they look tatty so that they do not catch loads of litter.

[Digeroo]

I love crocosmia and keep buying corms but they never take off. 

What do you do to get masses?  What sort of soil do they like?

[Digitalis]

I love crocosmia and keep buying corms but they never take off. 

What do you do to get masses?  What sort of soil do they like?

I don't know, Digeroo. They were there when I took the plot over. They cover a 6ft sq!

[caroline7758]

I didn't think anyone paid for crocosmia- there are so many people trying to get rid of them! I got some on freecycle- this time of year would be a good time to put a "wanted"ad on.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Any particular sort of crocosmia? The old fashioned montbretia is as near indestructible as they come, but others might be fussier. They all seem to flourish on my site, with damp conditions.

[Digitalis]

I don't know the cultivar, but they have bright red flowers. Gorgeous!

[Mr_Crocosmia]

I hold the National Collection of Crocosmia status.......

You can cut the leaves off the plants, but if they aren't in a sheltered position then you may like to mulch them with something.......... I use twigs, leaves etc.
The only reason you would leave them on is for a little bit of frost protection.

Mark