Eremurus Joanna - Foxtail Lily

Eremurus 'Joanna' is a gigantic perennial plant with a tuberous root, easily exceeding 2m (7ft) in height. In late spring, it produces immense spikes covered with hundreds of small pure white star-shaped flowers with a small yellow centre. The stems emerge from a clump of ribbon-like foliage. Vigorous, spectacular, and elegant, this highly sculptural plant adapts to all styles of gardens. It thrives in sunny locations with deep, well-drained soil, and dislikes wet soil in winter and strong winds.

Originating from the cold high plains of Asia, 'Joanna' is a majestic plant of hybrid origin that can reach up to 2.4m (8ft) in height under favourable conditions. In its native regions, these hardy plants survive winter thanks to the protection of a thick snow cover. The bulb, formed by large fleshy roots surrounding a bud, resembles an octopus. This tuberous stump produces a rosette of lush, dark green ribbon-like leaves that can reach up to 1.2m (4ft) in height and 1m (3ft) in spread. The leaves are deciduous and dry up as the first floral spikes emerge, usually in June. The star-shaped flowers bloom from bottom to top, creating a flowering period that lasts for several weeks.

The majesty and elegance of Eremurus 'Joanna' make it suitable for perennial borders, which have the advantage of decorating its bare stem when it is in full bloom. It can be planted in groups, among English roses or shrub roses, for example, along with foxgloves, clary sages, delphiniums, the towering 'fennel' Ferula communis, other giant plants like the Macleaya cordata (the plume poppy), Inula racemosa, Thalictrum dipterocarpum, T. elegans 'Elin', or even Eupatorium maculatum Atropurpureum group 'Riesenschirm', to create a fantastical tableau. However, care should be taken not to plant it too closely, as this plant does not appreciate root competition. It can also be grown in a large container on a patio or in a small garden, accompanied by a pretty ground cover that won't suffocate it, such as aubrieta or creeping bugle.