Crocosmia 'Fire Starter' Falling Stars is a deciduous cormous perennial that blooms late summer into autumn. Borne on arching, multi-flowering stems, the upward-facing, bicolor blooms have golden yellow petals that are heavily edged in red orange and have a matching center stripe. The elegant sprays make excellent cut flowers for floral displays. Left in the garden, the nectar-rich flowers are a food source for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; and the seedpods that follow provide sustenance for songbirds.
'Fire Starter' is a Crocosmia hybrid, commonly called falling stars or montbretia. The plant has a fast growth rate and a dense, upright, clump-forming habit of tall, sword-like, bright green grassy foliage. 'Fire Starter' is a great "thriller" in a container garden, but it is shown to best effect when mass planted and is especially nice in mixed beds. But it does multiply annually and will need to be divided regularly, so consider placement carefully.
Hardy, reliable, and easy to grow, 'Fire Starter' grows best in sunny to partially shady locations with fertile, humus-rich, evenly moist, well-draining soil, preferably sandy. But crocosmias grow well in just about any soil, including very acidic soils. In hot climates, some afternoon shade may be beneficial. In colder areas, plant in locations sheltered from cold, drying winds and protect with a thick layer of dry mulch in winter. Crocosmias are generally disease free and deer resistant. They can be grown in Zones 3-6, but the corms must be dug up and stored indoors during winter.
