Is anyone else trying to grow these in a northern latitude?
I have had one go through 2 winters.
The first summer there was one spike of blossoms.
This year there were three spikes of blossoms.
Caroline
This message was edited Aug 26, 2009 11:37 PM
Foxtail lilies (Eremurus)
Pictures?
What color?
I have seen them in some formal gardens but not at any houses around here.
Picture:
Nice.
If you do not find an answer here try the cool climate gardening form,maybe someone there.
How cold do you get? As a grower of rare plants and bulbs it is nearly impossible to find out this information, but having left the naked crowns out in a barn that got down to 15F this winter I know they are hardier than rated at!
I planted my first this spring and understand they will not bloom for at least another season. In zone 6 it can get to 0 F here but seldom does. I planted a few in containers that I plan to take into the garage this winter. They all grew, just did not bloom. Since I bought the bulbs locally, I expect them to bloom around here.
My cousin lived in Calgary for quite while, and she described some adverse weather conditions where it could be warm in the winter.
I also planted crinums, but they did not bloom either. I just wish I could remember what I planted and where! The hymenocallis grew and bloomed and were beautiful despite their all white coloring. I expected something similar from the foxtails and crinums.
Zone 3 can get down to minus 40 'C or 'F (minus 40 is same on both scales)
We get Chinook winds in winter which can change the temperature
quickly to warmer values.
Yes, I think foxtail lilies (Eremurus) are hardier than they are usually rated.
There are several varieties so it is possible that some varieties are hardier than others.
I planted a couple more this past week and will see how they come through the winter.
Thanks! there is no better information than from actual growers. We had a terrible cold snap here 14F at night with no snow-yes that is terrible for here-and many hardy plants and bulbs were not hardy and some non hardy ones were! We have been colder, but there was snow. We also just lose a lot of plants and bulbs to the fall-winter-spring wet, so they may be hardy in other sites.
As far as Eremurus blooms go, they will bloom if fall/winter planted, but tend to sulk when spring planted.
Here the Eremurus roots are only available in the fall.
The garden Centres do sell plants in the spring but they are always priced way over my budget. Usually they ask above $80.Canadian for one plant.
The roots are around $5. to $8 (Canadian) right now.
Eremurus hate pots and generally refuse to grow in one and die, at least here where it is nonstop rain 9 months out of the year, and and the wind and hail in the spring doesn't help either.
That is good to know. I have them right in the ground and will mulch over when the big freeze comes.