Montbretia

Montbretia (copper top) Crocosmia

Planted. Iris family. Perennial herbs, that grow from basal underground corms to 72’ tall. The name is derived from the Greek words krokos (saffron) and osme (smell), referring to the saffron-like scent when dried flowers are dipped in water.
Winter-hardy. They can be propagated through division every three years or so, removing offsets from the corm in spring.  Full sunlight or light shade. Good drainage. Feed in summer. Regular watering in dry periods. When the last flowers have finished, cut the entire plant to the ground and tidy up the area removing any weeds that may have encroached.
Flowers  from early summer well into fall. The flowers are sessile, sub-opposite along an arched spike, red or orange funnel like. Leaves:  look like swords
Make ideal border plants.
 A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers and used as a saffron substitute for              colouring foods