Crocosmia 'Peach Melba'

Crocosmia 'Peach Melba' is a stunning summer-flowering perennial that brings a sophisticated warmth to the garden with its unique peachy-orange blooms. This cultivar stands out among crocosmias for its soft, romantic coloring that evokes the dessert for which it's named.

'Peach Melba' produces graceful, arching stems that reach 24-30 inches tall, bearing tubular flowers in a delicate blend of peach, apricot, and soft orange hues with hints of yellow at the throat. The flowers open progressively along one-sided spikes from mid to late summer, creating a long-lasting display that typically runs from July through September. The blooms are complemented by sword-shaped, pleated foliage that emerges in spring and forms attractive clumps.

This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade, though it produces the best flowering in locations with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. It prefers moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter and performs well in USDA hardiness zones 6-9. In zone 6 and colder areas of zone 7, applying a winter mulch helps protect the corms during harsh winters.

The soft coloring of 'Peach Melba' makes it exceptionally versatile in planting schemes. It pairs beautifully with purple and blue flowers like agapanthus, salvia, and echinops, and creates romantic combinations with other warm-toned perennials. The arching habit makes it excellent for border edges, cottage gardens, or naturalistic plantings. It's also outstanding as a cut flower, with blooms lasting well in the vase.

Crocosmia 'Peach Melba' is relatively low-maintenance once established. Water regularly during the growing season, especially during dry spells. The plants spread gradually through corms and may need dividing every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding. Deadheading isn't necessary, though you can remove spent flower stems for tidiness. Cut back foliage in late fall or early spring.

The tubular flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, making this an excellent choice for pollinator gardens. The later summer blooming period provides valuable nectar when many spring flowers have finished.

Photo Credit: Walter Gardens

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.

Crocosmia 'Peach Melba'

Kniphofia does best in hot, dry sunny locations. It is adaptable to moist soils as long as they drain well and once established becomes very draught tolerant. Watering during the bloom period will increase the quality of the blooms. In more mild regions Kniphofia can remain evergreen, but in cooler zones it will die back to the base of the plant. Regardless of your region the foliage and appearance will benefit from having the leaf tips trimmed starting in the early spring. This will stimulate new healthy growth and keep your kniphofia looking fine. Some growers recommend tying up the foliage in cooler climates (5 and 6), so that it is above the root crown. This keeps water from settling into the base of the plant and freezing, which can damage the sensitive crown. We also recommend a health application of mulch around the base of the plant to ensure it is protected from adverse cold and windy weather conditions.