Growing Guides:
How to Grow Eremurus Bulbs
(Foxtail Lily)
Everything about Eremurus is spectacular – from the tall, striking flowers right down to the enormous and fascinating bulbs. Looking rather like a giant starfish, Eremurus bulbs have rhizomatous or long, fleshy, tapering roots spreading from their central compact crowns. Make sure you look at the photos that accompany the products, they really are quite amazing. And simply huge!
Planting Eremurus (Foxtail Lily) bulbs:
Follow our simple step-by-step guide to planting Eremurus bulbs:
- Eremurus bulbs are planted In Autumn, before the ground freezes. Make sure you select a spot with good drainage, Eremurus will not tolerate waterlogged soil. Good drainage is essential – to improve drainage, dig a planting hole and place a handful of horticultural sand or grit at the bottom of the hole, before making your mound. Good drainage will help plants establish more quickly. Because of their height it’s a good idea to place them at the back of borders.
- Dig a hole around 12-15cm deep and 25-30cm wide and create a small mound in the centre on which to place the crown of the bulb.
- Place the bulb carefully into the hole, onto the mound, taking care not to break any of the long roots while angling them slightly down. Position the roots so the crown of the plant is above the soil.
- Leave around 30cm of space between each bulb. Please note that Foxtail Lily bulbs prefer growing undisturbed in beds and can be tricky to grow in containers.
- After planting, water well so that the soil above the bulbs settles.
- Eremurus bulbs will flower in Spring. After the flowers die down, allow the plant to enjoy a rest period - there is no need to water much during this period. Leaves will also die back and at this point you can choose to tidy up the plant and remove the old leaves or just let nature take its course.
