Description
Eremurus – Desert Candle – Foxtail Lily –
There are about 50 species of clump forming, fleshy rooted perennials, in this genus. They occur in dry grassland and semi-desert in Western and Central Asia. It produces leafless flowering stems, usually on per crown, each produce a dense racemes of 100’s of star shaped, usually pink, white, or yellow flowers, with conspicuous stamens in early summer. Tufted rosettes of folded, linear to lance shaped, basal leaves die back to the conical crown after flowering. Grow in a border, need winter cold to induce flowering.
Grow in fertile, sandy, well drained loam in full sun, with shelter from wind. Protect with a heavy mulch to ensure the soil does not freeze. May need support. Divide carefully after flowering.
Prone to slugs.
E. aitchisonii – This clump forming perennial from Afghanistan grows 3-6′ feet tall. It produces narrowly lance shaped, rough edged, glossy, grass green leaves, 12-24″ long. From late spring to early summer it bears pale pink flowers, to 1 1/4″ across, are carried in racemes 12″ long.
Zones 5-8
