Eremurus stenophyllus Cathedral Mixed - Foxtail Lily

Eremurus stenophyllus Cathedral Mixed forms an exceptional mix of majestic spears, 1.50 meters (5 feet) above the ground. Worth planting for their highly architectural habit and the beauty of their inflorescences.

Eremurus stenophyllus, also known as the foxtail lily, is a lily native to Eastern Europe (Russia and Ukraine), Asia Minor and Central Asia, Turkey, Siberia, and China. It is a monumental and refined herbaceous perennial: imagine a long stem of 1.20 to 1.50 m (4 to 5ft) rising from a basal tuft of long, upright, dark green to greyish-green ribbon-like leaves. From May to July, a profusion of small flowers measuring 1 cm (0.2in) wide, veined with a line of lime green, bloom on a long cluster of 30 cm (12in) or more. The flowers come in shades of yellow, orange, peach, white, and pale pink. Long stamens emerge from each mature flower. They bloom along the spike from the bottom upwards, so that when the highest buds on the stems bloom, fruiting is already underway in the lower part. The beginning of flowering leads to the withering of the leaves.

Plant them in the background of borders or isolated in a sunny meadow. Due to their large stature, place them in a sheltered spot to protect them from the wind. Eremurus prefer rich, fertile, and well-drained soil. Whether the soil pH is acidic or neutral doesn't matter much to them. However, amend it with sand if it is not sufficiently draining.

The vertical stems of the Eremurus defies the horizon line, breaks the monotony, and provides not just a focal point but a true depth of field that amplifies the perspective in the garden. Pair it with beautiful Monarda Fireball, tall purple alliums, and some grasses to add airiness and transparency to the scene. To protect it from the cold, provide a mulch of dry leaves.

Divide the clumps in autumn as soon as they become too dense. Neither truly bulbous nor rhizomatous, this herbaceous perennial has a reserve organ in the unique shape of a starfish. It can be propagated by division or by sowing. Cutting the flower spikes at the beginning of flowering allows for the creation of beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers and they will continue to bloom.