Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Rosy'

Christine Skelmersdale

Synonyms

Eucomis 'Sparkling Rosy'

Bulbs

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A bulbous perennial to 60cm, producing a rosette of strap-shaped, dark green leaves flushed with purple. In late summer and autumn, dark red, upright stems carry dense spikes of scented, rose-pink, star-shaped flowers, opening from dark red buds, topped with a cluster of purple-flushed, dark green, leaf-like bracts. Purple seed pods follow

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. Alternatively, grow in free-draining compost, well-watered, and take under cover for winter. 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