Eremurus x isabellinus 'Cleopatra'

Desert candle is a perfect name for this attractive perennial. Or foxtail lily is even funnier and tells the truth, too. This plant has sturdy stems that can grow up to 1.5m tall where half of the stem is decorated with small flowers of various colours.

Cleopatra is a hybrid between eremurus olgae and eremurus stenophyllus where the second one gave this variety the warm tint of yellow colour while common eremurus is usually white or pink. Cleopatra is therefore a merge of yellow and pink that resulted in apricot orange flowers that are formed in upright racemes. They open individually from the bottom upwards in mid June and continue flowering for about 4 weeks. The leaves are lance shaped, pale blue-green or grey green and die back after flowering.

This perennial needs very well-drained soil mixed with sand to keep the roots from rotting. It should be reasonably fertile and mulched in winter. Grow it in full sun with shelter from strong wind. Hardy.

Last update 14-06-2011