Eremurus fuscus

RHS Plant Profile
brown foxtail lily

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Herbaceous Perennial

A clump-forming perennial, to 1.2m high in flower, with fleshy roots and narrowly lance-shaped, mid green leaves that die back after flowering. Tall spikes of small, bell-shaped, pale yellow flowers with brown tips, long stamens and red-brown anthers, are produced in early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
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)
H6
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asphodelaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Eremurus are herbaceous perennials growing from fleshy roots, with rosettes of strap-shaped basal leaves and a dense racemes of small star-shaped flowers on erect leafless stems
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
C Asia, Himalaya

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, free draining soil, in a sunny position with plenty of root space. May need staking in windy sites. Mulch with garden compost in autumn, but avoid covering the crown. Needs winter cold to flower, but protect young spring growth from frost. See eremurus cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by division of mature plants, taking care to minimise root disturbance. Plants grown from seed may take 3-5 years to flower

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Unless seeds are required, spent flower spikes can be cut down at the base

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free