Summer will be sparkling with amber tones from the dainty jewel-like blooms of Crocosmia 'Harlequin'. Crocosmia, also known as montbretia, is a classic garden plant and it’s been grown and loved for so many years because it is easy, reliable , incredibly resilient and produces a long-lasting and attractive show of colour every year with minimal fuss.  If you’re looking for a low-maintenance perennial which will return year after year, gradually multiplying to fill a bare patch with beauty whilst supressing weeds, look no further than this easy-going gem of a plant. Crocosmia 'Harlequin' grow from corms which are very easy to plant.

They thrive in damp soils and don’t mind whether they’re in sun or partial shade. If you have clay soil or any area of ground which doesn’t completely dry out regularly, then you should find they’ll be happy to fill the spot. Plant Crocosmia × crocosmiiflora 'Harlequin' in spring and leave them to it. They’re not about speedy results – they take a bit of time to settle in and might take longer than you think to sprout, but it is worth the wait when they get into the swing of it. In the first year, expect to see the zingy green sword-like leaves and perhaps the occasional flower spike, more blooms appear each year from the second year onwards.