I tried a selection of the Crocosmia hybrids offered by Far Reaches, but only one survived even a single winter (low, about 18 F), and it never flourished. 'Lucifer' is the most attractive anyway. I don't happen to have it in this garden but will get some next year (it's offered by bulb suppliers in spring). Must also grow more of the Galtonia candicans Ernie mentions, as it's fresh and pretty right now when very little else is. Seed is always available from the NARGS exchange. Jane McGary Portland, oregon, USA On 7/24/2018 7:43 AM, Ernie DeMarie via pbs wrote: > Hi Jane, > There should be no reason why Crocosmia "Lucifer" wouldnt cross with other crocosmias. In fact I am pretty sure it has been used in breeding and it also makes its own seeds as well. The UK seems far more advanced in creating new Crocosmia hybrids than we are in the US, but Far Reaches carries quite a few cultivars. Here in NY in zone6/7 with a low of -2F last winter, I can grow several cultivars and also the species aurea,but aurea does best if given a protective winter mulch or grown against a wall. I have had a large patch of it under the latter conditions at school for many years by now and it comes up earlier and flowers a bit earlier than the two clumps I have in my home gardens which are usually given some light mulch for winter. Lucifer flowers earlier so pollen would need to be stored to use on later flowering things like aurea I would think. > Ernie DeMarie > in NY where Crinum Super Ellen has its second flower spike opening, Crocosmia Pauls Best Yellow, C pottsii (I think) and some of the usual dutch red ones are flowering along with Galtonia candicans and Agapanthus campanulatus and various hardy hybrids grown from seeds. > > > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…