James Burghardt
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
EUCOMIS pole-evansii
Plant Common Name
Giant Pineapple Lily
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Forming clumping foliage with tall, long-lasting pale green flower spikes great for cutting, giant pineapple lily is a great mixed border plant. Native to the rocky hillsides South Africa, this pineapple lily species is a bulbous, tender perennial distinguished by its showy flower clusters somewhat resembling pineapples with a little leafy tuft atop the flower spike.
Emerging with the warm temperatures of spring, the broad, strap-shaped leaves of this eye-catching perennial form a large, fountain-like rosette. Dense, cylindrical clusters of starry, pale green to creamy ivory flowers are borne on tall sturdy stems in mid- to late summer, and are typically displayed over a period of several weeks. Afterwards the flower bracts turn light green and green seed capsules remain and provide added textural interest.
The giant pineapple lily grows well in full to partial sun; however, best form and flowering occurs in full sun. In spring, plant the bulbs at a depth of three times their width in fertile, evenly moist, gravelly or average, well-drained soil where they are to perennialize. Water freely in summer's warmth, less in the winter dormancy. Where marginally hardy, site plants in warm, sheltered locations, topdress with additional mulch in winter, and provide with excellent drainage. In colder zones, bulbs may be lifted and overwintered in containers in a frost-free location.
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 10
-
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
-
Height
3'-5' / 0.9m - 1.5m
-
Width
20"-25" / 50.8cm - 63.5cm
-
Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
-
Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Neutral
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Loam
-
Tolerances
Drought, Soil Compaction
-
Growth Rate
Medium
-
Water Requirements
Average Water
-
Habit
Clump-Forming
-
Seasonal Interest
Summer
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
Gold
-
Fruit Color
Yellow Green
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Chartreuse
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow Green
-
Fragrant Flowers
No
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
No
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Matte
-
Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Usage
Container, Cutflower, Mixed Border
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
-
Attracts
Hummingbirds, Butterflies
-
Self-Sowing
Yes
