Crocosmia aurea, Crocosmia

Spikes of summer-blooming, wide open, pale to bright orange-red flowers branch off upright stems reaching 3' tall. They prefer part shade and moisture similar to their natural habitat: the stream banks, wooded clefts, and forest edges of South Africa. The flowers are useful for yellow dye, stains, or inks, and have been used as a cheaper saffron substitute in foods. The orange fruits with black seeds are great in dried arrangements. Clumping. Minimum temperature: -10° F