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Herbaceous Perennial

Eremurus 'Helena'

foxtail lily 'Helena'

A clump-forming perennial, to 1.5m high in flower, with fleshy roots and narrowly lance-shaped, mid green leaves that die back after flowering. Tall spikes of small, densely packed, pure white flowers with conspicuous cream stamens are produced in early summer

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asphodelaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Eremurus are herbaceous perennials growing from fleshy roots, with rosettes of strap-shaped basal leaves and a dense racemes of small star-shaped flowers on erect leafless stems
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, free draining soil, in a sunny position with plenty of root space. May need staking in windy sites. Mulch with garden compost in autumn, but avoid covering the crown. Needs winter cold to flower, but protect young spring growth from frost. See eremurus cultivation for more detailed advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by division of mature plants, taking care to minimise root disturbance. Plants grown from seed may vary, and may take 3-5 years to flower

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Prairie planting
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Unless seeds are required, spent flower spikes can be cut down at the base

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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