Doryanthes palmeri
spear lily
A tender succulent up to 2.5m high and 3m wide, with rosettes of linear or lance-shaped, lush, bright green leaves, 2.5-3m long, which are upright then arching; mature plants produce stems, 3-4m long, also erect then arching, with smaller leaves and dense, oblong panicles, up to 1m long, of deep red bracts enclosing tubular flowers, 4-6cm long, rich red or red-brown outside and pale red or white inside, in late spring
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Red | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Doryanthaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Suckering
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Australia
How to grow
Cultivation
In frost-prone areas, grow outside in full sun only in summer, and overwinter in a cool greenhouse in full light, in containers in loam-based potting compost such as John Innes No. 2; in the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthl, but keep just moist in winter. In frost-free areas, grow in humus-rich, well-drained soil in sun, with plenty of water in the growing season, but keep dry in winter as mature plants may withstand several degrees of frost if kept dry
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown at 10-13°C in spring, by division of mature bulbils, which are occasionally produced on flower stems, or by division, removing suckers which are produced after flowering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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