Eremurus robustus

Eremurus robustus (*)

Eremurus robustus is a a plant native to the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains in central Asia that is often used as an ornamental plant. It often goes by the common name Foxtail lily.

E. robustus has a stem six to ten feet high, with leaves as long as 48 inches, and 4 inches in width, the widest in its genus. The leaves can vary from a bright green to a bluish-green in color. Inflorescence goes to four feet in length which is covered with many deep to pale pink flowers, four cm across. At the base of the flower is a brown blotch, and have a green keel.[1] The lower flowers have long pedicels, and shorter ones higher up. The flowers, as many as 700 to 800, bloom in June.[2] By the time of flowering, the leaves will usually have already shrivelled.

The plant was introduced from Central Asia in 1874 and is popular in gardens.[3] However some may find the plant to be too tall for normal gardens.[4] It prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full sun.

Notes

1. ^ Thomas, Graham Stuart (June 1, 2005). Perennial Garden Plants. frances lincoln ltd. ISBN 0-7112-2403-X. p. 160.
2. ^ Royal Horticultural Society 2006. Eremurus robustus. Retrieved on October 6, 2006.
3. ^ Bryan, John E (June 7, 2002). Bulbs. Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-529-2. p. 222.
4. ^ Hessayon, D G (December 31, 1995). The Bulb Expert. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. ISBN 0-903505-42-8. p. 38.

References

* Pink, A. (2004). Gardening for the Million, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/11892.