Anthericum liliago
St Bernard's lily
Produces tufts of narrow, rather coarse grass-like linear mid-green leaves, 30-45cm long, and tall stems to 1m bearing white, trumpet-shaped flowers to 4cm across, in late spring
Other common names
branched spiderwortSavoy spiderwort
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Anthericum are deciduous fleshy-rooted perennials with linear basal leaves and erect stems bearing lax racemes or panicles of starry or trumpet-shaped flowers in spring or summer, followed by brown seed capsules
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Sweden to Med
How to grow
Cultivation
Ideally this should be grown in soil that is moist but well-drained in summer and well-drained over winter; this provides the fleshy roots with moisture in summer yet allows it to overwinter. Full sun is essential
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn or propagate by division in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Seed spikes are attractive and can be left, but cut them back if you want to prevent self-seeding
Pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.