My Crocosmia Had No Blooms the First Year

Sunlight

• Once the flowers have faded, the leaves continue to gather energy from the sun and store it in the bulb for the next year's blossoms. Cutting back the leaves too soon or leaving the plant in partial shade eliminates the possibility of flowers the following year.

Nutrients

• Plants need nutrients to produce flowers. Plants growing in nutrient-poor soil will also lack the ability to flower. However, feeding bulbs with a nitrogen heavy fertilizer may encourage plants to produce leaves the following year at the expense of flowers.

Maturity

• As bulbs mature, they reproduce. These small bulbs are young, without the energy to produce flowers the first year. Proper care will ensure flowers the second year.

Overcrowding

• Overcrowded bulbs compete for nutrients and water. These bulbs become stressed and will fail to store the energy to produce next year's flowers.

Planted Too Deep

• Crocosmia should be planted 5 inches below the surface of the soil. When planted too deep, even a healthy bulb will expend its energy on reaching the sunlight at the expense of the flowers.