Eremurus 'Himalaicus' - Steppenkerze - LumiBlumi

Foxtail Lily Eremurus himalaicus

CHF 16.95

Foxtail Lily Eremurus himalaicus

Name: Foxtail Lily Eremurus himalaicus
Brand: Eremurus
Price: 16.95 CHF
Availability: OutOfStock

Eremurus himalaicus

CHF 16.95

Pure white spikes of hundreds of starry flowers
About 180–200 cm tall
Flowers in June and July
Drought-tolerant, for poor, sunny spots
Good cut flower for large vases

Eremurus himalaicus, the Himalayan foxtail lily, forms monumental spikes of hundreds of pure white starry flowers. In June and July they rise to about 180–200 cm and give any garden height and calm. It tolerates drought and poor soils, provided the spot is sunny and free-draining.

About this variety

The flower spikes of Eremurus himalaicus shoot skywards like rockets. Each spike carries well over a hundred small, snow-white starry flowers that open from the bottom upwards, so flowering lasts for weeks. The plant comes from sandy scrubland in Asia and is used to hot, dry summers.

At about 180–200 cm tall, it is a focal point at the back, in front of a wall, a fence or dark shrubs. In prairie borders and architectural plantings it creates clear vertical lines. Because the foliage dies back at flowering time, plant bushy perennials such as hardy geraniums, lavender or ornamental grasses in front. White goes with almost everything, especially blue and silver.

Bees and other pollinators love the flowers. As a cut flower it suits large arrangements. Once established, it manages with little water and returns every year. Full sun and soil that never stays wet are essential.

Planting

Plant the foxtail lily in September or October. Form a mound of sand in the planting hole and lay the star-shaped root flat on top. Cover the bud in the centre with about 5 cm of soil. Handle the delicate roots carefully. A spot in full sun with very free-draining soil and a spacing of 80–100 cm is ideal.

Care

Protect the young shoots from late frost in spring, for example with fleece. In windy spots an inconspicuous cane can support the tall spikes. After flowering the foliage may die back. Watering is only needed in very dry spells while the shoots are emerging.

Specifications

Botanical name: Eremurus himalaicus
Genus: Foxtail lily
Class: Various
Supplied as: Tubers
Flower colour: White
Fragrant: No
Flowering time: June, July
Flowering season: Early summer, High summer
Foliage colour: Mid-green
Height: 190 cm
Spread: 150 cm
Habit: Upright
Position: Sun
Suitable for: Bed, Pot and container, Rock garden, Wildlife garden and meadow, Cutting garden
Soil type: Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Drainage: Well-drained
Soil moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil note: Suitable for many Swiss garden soils. A loose structure and good drainage matter more than a particular soil type.
Planting time: September, October, November, December
Planting depth: Cover the bud with 5 cm of soil
Spacing: 80–100 cm
Number per m²: 1
Hardiness in Switzerland: Hardy in Switzerland
Hardiness by location: Hardy, also at higher altitudes
Hardiness zone (USDA): 5–6
Overwintering note: Generally hardy in garden soil in Switzerland. At high, windy sites and in containers, plan extra winter protection and avoid winter wet.
For containers: Only partly suitable for containers
Container note: Only recommended in a sufficiently large, stable, well-drained container.
Cut flower: Suitable as a cut flower
Naturalising: Not suitable
Naturalising note: Persists for several years in a suitable spot, but does not normally spread over larger areas on its own.
For bees and butterflies: Pollinator-friendly
Deer and rodent resistant: No
Edible: Not edible
RHS hardiness: H6