Cardiocrinum giganteum – Giant Himalayan Lily

Description

Cardiocrinum giganteum

There can’t be many horticultural sights as magnificent as one of these lilies in flower at 8ft plus with more than 20 purple throated white flowers, each 20cm long. The fact that they are fragrant too and will scent the garden in June is just a bonus. The only downside is that each bulb can take 7 years to mature sufficiently to produce its show stopping display. They enjoy a rich site with plenty of moisture, preferably in light shade. Feed well in their first few years. Based on the purple colouring of the flowering stems, I believe we grow C.giganteum var. yunnanense. Whilst the main bulb will die after flowering, offsets will be produced which can be lifted and transferred to fresh sites.