Eucomis comosa 'Cornwood'

RHS Plant Profile

pineapple lily 'Cornwood'

Christine Skelmersdale

Synonyms

Eucomis punctata 'Cornwood'

Bulbs

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A bulbous perennial to 60cm, producing a rosette of arching, light green, lance-shaped leaves. In late summer to early autumn, pale green, upright stems carry dense spires of scented, creamy-white, star-shaped flowers with deep purple centres, topped with a cluster of leaf-like bracts

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: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: 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

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Eucomis are bulbous perennials forming a large basal rosette of strap-shaped leaves, with an erect stem bearing a dense raceme of star-shaped flowers, topped by a crown of leafy bracts, opening in late summer and early autumn
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant 15cm deep in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Mulch well to retain soil moisture and protect from winter cold. See eucomis cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by removing offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Gravel garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Remove flower spikes once the display is over and allow foliage to die down naturally

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free