Eremurus (foxtail lilies) are bold, upright, stately lily-relatives which make exotic additions to summer borders. Eremurus are clump-forming perennials with fleshy roots that radiate horizontally from a central bud, resembling a starfish. Leaves appear early in the year, and flowers are produced on tall, leafless stems between one and three metres (39in to 10ft) tall (depending on cultivar), usually in May and June. Individual flowers are small but numerous, star- or cup-shaped, in a range of colours. As with some alliums, the leaves often wither during flowering; once the flowering spikes have finished, these can be cut at the base, leaving the remaining foliage to die down naturally. Taller plants may require staking.
Eremurus in the garden
Eremurus are usually sold as bare-root crowns in late summer. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from the wind. Eremurus tolerate alkaline soils well but hate waterlogging. Choose a position towards the back of the border where dying clumps are screened, or in widely spaced prairie-style or gravel-garden plantings.
Prepare a shallow hole about 15cm (6in) in depth and wider than the roots. Spread the roots horizontally with the crown just below the surface so the bud is at soil level. Light soils should be enriched with organic matter such as well-rotted farmyard manure prior to planting. On heavier soils plant onto a 5cm (2in) mound of coarse sand or grit to protect the crown from winter wet.
Species and cultivars
Eremurus ‘Helena’ - White flowers to 1.2m (4ft).
Eremurus himalaicus - Long spikes of pure white flowers 2–2.5m (6 1/2-8ft) tall.
Eremurus x isabellinus ‘Cleopatra’ - Coppery-rose flowers with dark red rib and orange anthers to 1.5–1.8m (5-6ft).
Eremurus ‘Joanna’ - Dark green foliage and white flowers, 2–2.4m (6 1/2-8ft).
Eremurus robustus - Light pink flowers with brown blotches at the base last for several weeks. Racemes to 1.2m (4ft), plants 2.5–3m (8-10ft) tall.
Eremurus stenophyllus - Smaller than other species at 1–1.5m (3-5ft). Brilliant yellow flowers with orange-tipped stamens.
Cultivation
When buying Eremurus, avoid damaged crowns that have dried out, and plant immediately after purchase.
Eremurus require cold winters to flower well. Although totally hardy in the wild, they come into growth early in gardens and the young shoots can be damaged by late frosts. To avoid this, protect early growth with fleece or a cloche. If plants suffer damage or lack vigour, liquid fertiliser may help.
Slugs and snails can damage new shoots, but Eremurus are otherwise largely pest and disease free.
Plants not receiving enough sun will often fail to flower; be sure to position them in full sun.
If a plant does not reappear in subsequent years, it will probably be due to root damage caused by winter wet, soil disturbance or planting in a location that does not receive enough sunlight. Plant in a sunny, well-drained site on a layer of sharp sand or grit and avoid root disturbance.
Further information
Find a nursery that stocks these cultivars in the online Plant Finder