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Asphodeline lutea

asphodel

© RHS 2002
Sold by 48 nurseries

  • Other common names asphodel
    flower of the dead

    Jacob's rod
    king's spear
    yellow asphodel

    see more

  • Synonyms Asphodeline flava
    Asphodelus luteus

  • Family Asphodelaceae

  • Genus Asphodeline can be herbaceous perennials or biennials forming a clump of narrow, grassy leaves, with starry yellow or white flowers borne in racemes on erect stems

  • Details A. lutea is a clump-forming perennial with narrow, channelled leaves and fragrant bright yellow flowers to 3cm across, in dense racemes in late spring

  • Plant range Mediterranean to Caucasus

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Tufted

  • Fragrance Flower

  • 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

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Aspect South-facing or East-facing or West-facing

  • Exposure Sheltered

Soil

  • Sand

    Sand

  • Loam

    Loam

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • MoistureWell-drained

  • SoilSand, Loam, Chalk

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 1-1.5 metres

  • Ultimate spread 0.1-0.5 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 2-5 years

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 propagate by division after flowering

Suggested planting locations and garden types Banks and Slopes Flower borders and beds Gravel Garden Mediterranean Climate Plants

How to care

Pruning Although you can cut back flower stems after flowering the seedheads are attractive so can be left

Pests Generally pest free

Diseases Generally disease free

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