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CROCOSMIA
We saw them everywhere in the west of Ireland, showy spikes of red-orange flowers, grass-like leaves, gladiola’s more demure cousin. But glads are flirty debutantes, rainbow-colored, ruffles galore. While Crocosmia are plain half-slips, sticking to their side of the color wheel: red-orange-yellow. What they lack in variety, they make up in reliability, tough enough to survive Irish winters. Corms that can weather the cold. Graceful arches, with catalog names like: Irish Sunset, Irish Dawn, Coppertips, Falling Stars. Come spring, they’ll ignite their green fire. Praise the power of the small and hardy. The resurrection rising out of duff and detritus. Watch their slow small fires burn. Barbara Crooker |
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