This is my first post. Please excuse any protocol errors. In my garden (northwest Ohio, Oak Openings region, Granby soil) is a gorgeous red perennial I cannot find in any plant book. Leaves are elongated and tapered at both ends, from 12-16 inches long, medium green, with the appearance of folds or pleats in the widest part. Flowers appear at the end of a slim stalk, 14-18 inches long, from within the leaves. They are deep red and grow very much like lily of the valley. It is one of the most spectacular yet subtle plants I have ever seen in a garden. Can anyone identify it for me? And tell me where to get more? Many thanks Sally Vallongo
Not that I'm insisting or convinced that's what you have, but for what it's worth pendulous and less than one inch long fits pokers. The poker part is the flower head, the individual flowers are small and drooping.
Well, I appreciate your trying to solve my puzzle. This flower resembles a lily of the valley more than any other. If that's a poker, then so be it. I looked at pix of pokers and they seemed to be more of a thrusting upward bloom rather than drooping gracefully at the end of a slim stalk. What a puzzle, eH? thanks again
Red Lily-of-the-Valley flowers still doesn't ring any "bells" with me, but it could be one of those times where if you managed to get a photo up it would be immediately identified.
It's often the case with dialogs like this that something in the original description turns out to not be the way others see it, thus delaying recognition until somebody throws out a vaguely similar plant that turns out to be in fact what was being asked about. Crocosmia does come in red; dierama can be purple but not red--at least not with the familiar sorts. Neither has lily-of-the-valley shaped (urnlike) flowers. Both do have slender leaves, noticeably ribbed in the case of crocosmias.
Any chance it might be Lobelia, maybe L. tupa? Or some sort of Salvia - can't remember the name of the red perennial one, but I know there is one. I'm reaching a little I know; if you could describe flower shape a little more it would help too. You're sure it's perennial, and not annual?
I will check out those suggestions. Many thanks. If I can find a photo, I'll send it. I don't believe I ever took one when my plant was blooming and I inadvertently moved it when I was doing some gardening. That was really careless of me. My friend's plant hasn't bloomed yet, so when it does, I'll get an image. Again, many thanks, Sally
Okay folks, Crocosmia it is, C. Lucifer to be specific. To Oscar and Rob B., good work. I checked all of them on the Web and the Crocosmia example was not the same. So I checked at the local bookstore and found several books on perennials which included Crocosmia. I purchased one and now will be looking for some new corms to add to my garden. Thanks to all who replied and happy tending. Sally
An obvious candidate, as it is a very popular item that despite looking tropical is hardy in fairly cold climates. Doesn't look like lily-of-the-valley, however. That was the part of your account that threw everyone off. Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria) has tiny white (or pink) globular flowers with rolled back edges.
I have had trouble finding a very similar plant, but I think it is the same as the one mentioned here. My question is, what is the difference between the lucifer and the paniculata aka aunt liza? My name being eLIZAbeth, it would be quite nice to have a plant named "after me" in my flower bed, however, being a preacher's kid, I'm not too keen to have a plant named Lucifer, either! haha! Just wondering what the difference was, and which I actually have! Also, if anyone has any tips to keep the plants from falling over, that would be great! They just get SO high! Thanks!
Crocosmia 'Lucifer' is a cultivar. C. paniculata is a species. Crocosmia 'Lucifer', a selection from hybrids produced by crossing C. X crocosmiiflora 'Jackanapes', with C. paniculata and C. masonorum. Crocosmia paniculata was once known as Curtonus, and Antholyza. The latter gave it its common name - 'Aunt Liza' (ANThoLYZA). So, if you choose to grow 'Aunt Liza', you are growing C paniculata. Therefore, you don't have to worry about the moniker 'Lucifer'.
I was just wondering what the difference is in appearance, as I already have this planted in my garden from the previous owner of my property! Thanks!
