A type of Crocosmia, maybe the cultivar 'Lucifer'.

It grows from a bulb or corm rather than from seed. Naturalizes well and can shared with friends or elsewhere in your garden.

What interests me is the pig/hippo... was that left by previous owner too? ;)

Yes, lol. They left all kinds of garden 'art'. Helps us communicate. "We're should plant this in the frog garden" or "I need to weed the rabbit garden." With three acres of manicured space and dozens of gardens, it's helpful