Gardeners have been enchanted with Crocosmia “Star of the East” for more than one hundred years. It’s no surprise that this crocosmia is still one of the most popular plants on the market—it has big, bright flowers and is easy to take care of. We will talk about why crocosmia “Star of the East” has stayed popular in gardening for so long in this article.
A Brief History
Crocosmia ‘Star of the East’ was introduced way back in 1912 by a British nursery owned by George Davidson He instantly recognized the wow factor of this variety, with its flowers measuring a whopping 3-4 inches across – the largest blooms ever seen on a crocosmia at the time!
In the 1940s, crocosmia ‘Star of the East’ was awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. This honor is only bestowed on plants that demonstrate excellence for ordinary garden use. Clearly this crocosmia variety was already making its mark decades ago.
David Fenwick, a leading crocosmia expert who cultivated the UK’s National Collection of Crocosmia, ranked ‘Star of the East’ as number two on his list of top ten crocosmias of all time. That’s some seriously high praise!
Vibrant Blooms
Without a doubt, the main claim to fame of crocosmia ‘Star of the East’ is its spectacular blooms. The flowers are a burnt orange hue, evoking a brilliant flame. When they first emerge, the buds are a clay-like reddish-orange. As the blooms open up, they reveal a softer orange interior with a creamy yellow throat. The petals are elegantly folded and slightly cupped, with a subtle fragrance.
The blooms are carried on arching spikes above the foliage, adding vibrant pops of color in the late summer garden. Flowers appear from early to mid summer and last for up to 10 weeks. Deadheading promotes even more blooms.
What’s extra special about crocosmia ‘Star of the East’ is that the flower spikes produce an abundance of bird-friendly seed pods after the main flowering period ends. These provide visual interest and food for birds in the fall.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Crocosmia “Star of the East” does best in zones 6–10 and likes full sun over partial shade. It reaches an impressive height of 30-36 inches when mature. The sword-like leaves remain attractive even when not in bloom.
This crocosmia grows best in well-drained soil and appreciates regular watering. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring. Plant the corms 2-3 inches deep and 8-10 inches apart once the threat of frost has passed.
When the winter is harsh, take the corms out and put them somewhere cool and dry until spring. Otherwise, mulch the roots for winter protection. Divide congested clumps every few years to promote flowering.
Perfect for Cutting Gardens
Crocosmia “Star of the East” is great for cutting gardens because its flower stems are strong and straight. They look great in bouquets and last up to two weeks. They also add a bright splash of color to arrangements.
Some other excellent cut flower crocosmia varieties include ‘Emily McKenzie’, ‘Lucifer’, and ‘Solfaterre’. But none can match the magnificence of ‘Star of the East’!
An All-Star Perennial
It’s clear why crocosmia ‘Star of the East’ has been treasured by gardeners since its introduction well over a century ago. Once established, it rewards the grower with an abundance of lasting, fiery blooms year after year with minimal care required. This tough, versatile perennial continues to shine bright, fully deserving its stellar reputation.
In your own garden, make room for the dazzling crocosmia ‘Star of the East’ and enjoy its sparkling summertime display!
Crocosmia ‘Star of the east’ and wildlife
Crocosmia ‘Star of the east’ is known for attracting bees. It has nectar/pollen rich flowers.