Foxtail lily

Sun

Full sun in an open position sheltered from strong winds.

Water

Water during spring growth if rainfall is low, keeping the soil lightly moist but never saturated. Once the leaves die back, keep the dormant roots relatively dry.

Soil

Well-drained sandy or gritty loam, preferably neutral to alkaline. Improve drainage throughout the planting area or use a raised bed; a gravel pocket in heavy clay is not enough.

Height

2-4 ft (0.6-1.2 m)

Spread

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)

Flowers

Late spring to early summer; dense spires of yellow flowers, often becoming orange-yellow as they age.

Foliage

Narrow, strap-shaped, blue-green leaves form a basal clump. They begin yellowing around flowering time and disappear during summer dormancy.

Growth

Moderate; newly planted roots may take a year or two to settle and flower well.

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1 ft (0.3 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.3 ft (0.7 m)

4. After 3 years

   3 ft (0.9 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Moderate

• Plant dormant roots in autumn, spreading the brittle roots carefully in a broad hole with the crown just below the soil surface.
• Water during dry spring weather, but avoid routine summer watering once the foliage has died back.
• Apply a light dressing of balanced fertiliser as shoots emerge in spring; avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
• Use a thin gravel mulch around the crown rather than moisture-retentive organic mulch directly over it.
• Stake flower stems early if the site is exposed, taking care not to pierce the roots.
• Leave established clumps undisturbed unless they become crowded or need propagation.

Pruning. Cut spent flower stems down to the base unless you want seed. Let the leaves yellow and dry naturally before removing them; do not cut back green foliage.

Autumn

Plant dormant roots in a sunny, freely drained bed, handling the fleshy roots carefully.

Winter

Check that water is draining away from the crowns; shelter the planting from prolonged winter rain if necessary.

Early spring

Watch emerging shoots for slug damage and protect them from severe late frosts.

Spring

Apply a light balanced feed and water during dry spells while leaves and flower stems develop.

Late spring to early summer

Support stems if needed and remove faded spikes unless saving seed.

Summer

Remove fully dried foliage, reduce watering and mark the dormant crowns so they are not accidentally dug up.

• Plant in repeated groups through a sunny border to create a rhythm of slender yellow spires.
• Combine with purple salvias and catmint for contrasting flower shapes and colours.
• Use in a raised gravel bed where drainage suits its dormant roots and the stems stand out against low planting.
• Place behind low, drought-tolerant perennials that soften the gap left when its foliage dies back.

Garden styles it suits: Architectural minimal, Cottage garden, English country, Dry gravel garden, Mediterranean and Hot border.

Plant it with: Catmint, Perennial sage, Lavender, Yarrow, Bearded iris and Ornamental onions.

Wildlife: The open flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees and other visiting insects.

• Crown and root rot in wet soil: improve drainage across the whole bed or replant in a raised bed; keep dormant roots relatively dry.
• Slugs and snails eating emerging shoots: inspect regularly in spring and use barriers, hand removal or locally approved controls.
• Late frost damaging young growth: cover emerging shoots with horticultural fleece during sharp spring frosts.
• Poor flowering after planting or disturbance: allow time to establish, provide full sun and avoid repeated lifting or dividing.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. Species-specific safety information is limited, so do not treat the roots, leaves or flowers as food.

• Himalayan foxtail lily (Eremurus himalaicus)

  Has white rather than yellow flowers and generally taller flower spikes.

• Giant foxtail lily (Eremurus robustus)

  Much larger overall, with broader leaves and tall spikes of pale pink flowers rather than compact yellow spires.

• Red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria)

  Has long tubular flowers crowded into a shorter, thicker head and persistent leafy clumps, rather than small star-shaped flowers along a long tapering spike.

Eremurus comes from Greek words meaning 'desert' and 'tail', referring to the flower spikes, while stenophyllus means 'narrow-leaved'.

Propagation. Sow fresh seed in deep pots outdoors and allow exposure to winter cold; germination can be slow and seedlings take several years to flower. Established clumps can be divided during summer dormancy, keeping a sound crown and attached roots on each division, but damaged roots and disturbance can delay flowering.

Accepted botanical name

Eremurus stenophyllus

Native range

Afghanistan, Iran, Kirgizstan, Pakistan, Tadzhikistan and Uzbekistan.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.