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Eucomis vandermerwei

van der Merwe pineapple lily

A bulbous perennial producing a rosette of wavy-edged, strap-shaped, dark green leaves, heavily blotched with dark purple-red. The star-shaped, purple flowers are produced in late summer in cylindrical spikes 15cm high, with a cluster of purple-edged, dark green bracts at the top

Synonyms
Eucomis 'Van der Merwei'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Purple
Summer Purple Green Purple
Autumn Green Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Tufted
Genus

Eucomis are bulbous perennials forming a large basal rosette of strap-shaped leaves, with an erect stem bearing a dense raceme of star-shaped flowers, topped by a crown of leafy bracts, opening in late summer and early autumn

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N South Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Best grown in very free-draining compost in a terracotta pot and taken under cover for winter or, in very mild areas, grow in a gravel bed or rockery. See eucomis cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn or spring or remove offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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