Asphodelus aestivus

RHS Plant Profile
asphodel

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asphodel RHS

Synonyms

Asphodelus microcarpus

Herbaceous Perennial
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A clump-forming perennial, to 1m tall, with broad, linear, thick, leathery leaves. In mid- and late spring it bears branched spires of star-shaped, white flowers, sometimes flushed with pink, followed by spherical green seed pods

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asphodelaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Asphodelus are rhizomatous perennials and annuals with clumps of linear basal leaves, and leafless stems bearing racemes or panicles of star-shaped, white or pink flowers, each tepal with a green or brown central vein
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
C & S Portugal to SW & C Spain, Canary Is. S. Europe. N Africa, Turkey.

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately-fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Can die back in heavy, poorly-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or by division after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Flower stems can be cut back after flowering, or left to display the attractive seed pods

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free