How to Split a Crocosmia

With its eye-catching blooms in shades of red, orange and yellows, and flamboyant, sword-like foliage, crocosmia is a focal point in the landscape. When combined with other summer blooming flowers in shades of blue and purple, the effect is absolutely stunning. For best effect, plant crocosmia in groups and divide the clumps in early spring every three to four years to keep them at their best.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Prepare a planting site for the transplanted crocosmia. Work the soil to a depth of at least 10 inches and mix in a shovelful of compost or peat moss. Be sure the site is in full sunlight.
2. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil around the clump of crocosmia. Insert the garden fork straight down into the soil several inches from the clump and work your way around the circumference of the clump until the crocosmia is loosened. Lift it out of the ground with the garden fork.
3. Shake the excess soil off the crocosmia corms, then divide the corms into small clumps with your fingers.
4. Plant each corm 2 to 3 inches deep with the pointed end facing up. Each corm should be planted 8 to 10 inches apart. Add a small handful of granular bulb fertilizer, according to the package directions.
5. Water the soil deeply after the crocosmia corms are planted, then as needed throughout the spring and summer. New top growth should appear in a few weeks.