Find Your Ask the Expert: what is this plant? Hello. This orange plant has come up in my perennial garden. I don’t know what it is. I get plants from friends and stopped at a “free perennials, you dig” site one day this summer, and I’m not sure who gave me tis plant. The foliage looks like an iris but the flower looks like a columbine. It has just started flowering this past week. I live in NH. Thanks.
Liz,
I believe this plant is a Crocosmia sometimes known as Montbretia. However, I’m unsure of the particular species of Crocosmia. It is a perennial — hardy in zones 6-9. I believe New Hampshire is zone 4-5, so it may not be perennial in your area. If you mulch it in preparation for winter this may help.
It is a Crocosmia ‘Emily Mackenzie’ – a very pretty perennial – at least here in the UK. Maybe is N Hampshire you should dig the tuber up and store it over winter, like a Dahlia.
Good Luck!