Eremurus (Foxtail Lily)

Foxtail Lily, Desert Candle, Giant Desert Candle

Eremurus (Foxtail Lilies) – Impressive tall perennials with striking flower spikes, adding dramatic height and beauty to the garden.

What is Foxtail Lily?

Eremurus, commonly known as Foxtail Lilies or Desert Candles, are majestic perennials native to western and central Asia.

Habit and Size: These exotic-looking plants produce impressive tall flower spikes that can reach up to 4-8 feet in height (1.2-2.4 meters), depending on the variety.

Foliage: Foxtail Lilies are adorned with long, slender, grass-like leaves that emerge at the base of the plant. These leaves usually wither before or during the blooming season.

Flowers: Long, sturdy, round flower spires, densely packed with small, star-shaped flowers, open sequentially from bottom to top, offering a long-lasting display. They rise well above the foliage, giving the plants an open and airy feel. The flowers can be white, yellow, pink or orange.

Blooming season: Foxtail lily blooms for several weeks in late spring to mid-summer.

Hardiness: They are hardy in USDA zones 5-8 and thrive best in full sunlight and well-drained soil.

Uses: Eremurus are superb as cut flowers and stunning in the garden, where their tall flower spikes serve as a magnet for bees and butterflies, making them a great addition to a pollinator garden. They also add a touch of drama in the landscape when planted in groups in borders or against a background of shrubs.

Pollinators: The flowers attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, with their vibrant and nectar-rich flowers.

Toxicity: Eremurus are not known to be toxic to humans or pets, but as always, it’s best to prevent ingestion.

Deer and Rabbit: The plants are also generally resistant to deer and rabbit browsing.

Drought tolerance: Although Foxtail Lilies are drought-tolerant once established, they appreciate regular watering during their growth and blooming period.

Invasiveness: These plants are not considered invasive.

A unique fact about Eremurus is the unusual shape of its root system. It has a central growing point surrounded by fleshy roots that extend outward, similar to a starfish or spider. This makes them somewhat tricky to plant but adds to their unique charm.

Why Should I Grow Foxtail Lily?

There are many reasons why you should consider growing Foxtail Lily (Eremurus) in your garden:

Dramatic Display: Foxtail Lilies produce tall, dramatic flower spikes packed with numerous star-shaped flowers, providing a visually arresting display in your garden.

Attracts Pollinators: These plants are fantastic for attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.

Deer and Rabbit Resistant: The plants are generally resistant to browsing by deer and rabbits, a real bonus for gardeners dealing with these common garden pests.

Excellent Cut Flowers: The tall, sturdy flower spikes make excellent cut flowers, adding drama and height to floral arrangements.

Low Maintenance: Foxtail Lilies are easy to care for once established, requiring minimal maintenance aside from ensuring they have well-drained soil and enough sunlight.

In essence, the Foxtail Lily offers gardeners an opportunity to add an exotic touch, structural height, and stunning beauty to their outdoor space.

Guide Information

Hardiness	5 - 8
Heat Zones	5 - 8
Climate Zones	2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type	Perennials
Genus	Eremurus
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	3' - 8' (90cm - 240cm)
Maintenance	Low
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy
Tolerance	Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts	Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Bees
Landscaping Ideas	Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

A few beautiful Eremurus Varieties

Hardiness	6 - 9
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Early, Mid)
Height	3' - 5' (90cm - 150cm)

Garden Design with Foxtail Lily

Foxtail Lily (Eremurus) can make a dramatic statement in your garden design, especially when it comes to creating height and structure. Here are a few ideas to incorporate Foxtail Lily into your garden:

Mixed Borders: Their tall, dramatic spires of flowers are excellent for the back or middle of a mixed border, where they can rise above other plants, providing an impressive display.

Cottage Gardens: Foxtail Lily fits well in a cottage garden scheme, with their naturalistic form and delicate flowers. Combine with traditional cottage garden plants like roses, delphiniums, and foxgloves.

Rock Gardens: Their preference for well-drained soil makes them a good fit for rock gardens. Plant among smaller alpine plants for a touch of height.

Cutting Garden: Consider adding Foxtail Lily to a cutting garden. Their tall stems and long-lasting flowers make excellent additions to bouquets.

Plant in Masses: For a truly dramatic display, consider planting Foxtail Lilies in masses. A large group of these plants in full bloom can be a breathtaking sight.

Remember, Foxtail Lily prefers a location with full sun and well-drained soil. They also prefer not to be disturbed once planted, so choose a suitable permanent position for them in your garden design. Their striking look can add a unique charm and height to your garden that few other plants can match.

Companion Plants

The tall, dramatic spires of Foxtail Lily look excellent when planted in combination with other perennials. When considering companion plants for Eremurus, look for those having similar growing requirements: full sun and well-drained soil. Here are some plants that work well:

Ornamental Grasses: They provide contrasting texture and form, such as Miscanthus or Panicum.

Salvia: The spiky blooms of Salvia complement the vertical emphasis of Eremurus and bloom around the same time.

Roses: Their showy, fragrant flowers create a beautiful contrast with the vertical spires of Eremurus.

Catmint (Nepeta): The soft, billowy shape and lavender-blue flowers of catmint contrast nicely with the tall, straight lines of Eremurus.

Iris: Bearded Irises, with their bold flowers and strappy foliage, make a great contrast to the tall spires of Foxtail Lily.

Yarrow (Achillea): Its flat-topped flowers in shades of yellow, pink or red can contrast well with the towering Eremurus.

Russian Sage (Perovskia): Its light, airy texture and blue-purple flowers contrast well with the stiff, upright form of Eremurus.

Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Their arching leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers provide a different shape and texture to contrast with Eremurus.

Globe Thistle (Echinops): The globe-shaped, blue flowers of this perennial provide a contrasting shape to the spires of the Foxtail Lily.

Echinacea (Coneflower): Echinacea’s vibrant and long-lasting flowers would create a beautiful contrast with Eremurus’s tall, slender spikes. Both plants enjoy full sun and well-drained soil, making them suitable partners.

Papaver (Poppy): Poppies can provide a stunning color contrast to the Eremurus, especially if you choose red or purple varieties. They also share similar sunlight and soil requirements.

Agastache (Hyssop): Agastache species, particularly the ones with purple-blue flowers, would look fantastic with Eremurus. They also attract pollinators and have similar growing requirements.

Eryngium (Sea Holly): Eryngium’s distinctive thistle-like flowers and bluish hue can add another layer of visual interest to the garden design. Both plants prefer sunny, well-drained conditions.

By using companion plants that complement and contrast with Eremurus in terms of shape, texture, and color, you can create a visually appealing and vibrant garden.

Companion Plants for Foxtail Lily

Growing Tips

Growing Foxtail Lily requires a specific set of conditions to flourish but isn’t particularly complicated. Here’s a guide:

Sunlight: Eremurus thrive in full sun, which means they should be in a location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

Soil: They need well-drained soil. Poorly drained soil can lead to the roots rotting, especially in winter. A sandy or gritty soil is best, but they can adapt to other soil types as long as drainage is good. They can tolerate a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline pH.

Planting: Plant Eremurus roots, or tubers, in late summer or early autumn. Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the tuber and its long root system. Plant your tubers deep enough so that the top of the crown is only covered with 2 inches (5 cm) of soil. Allow space around each plant as it likes the sun to warm its tubers. Water thoroughly after planting.

Water: Water regularly during the growing season, but reduce watering once the plant has finished flowering to let it dry out before winter. Overwatering can cause root rot.

Fertilizer: Eremurus will benefit from a light application of low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring before the new growth starts. Too much fertilizer, especially high-nitrogen types, can lead to lush foliage but poor flowering.

Winter Care: In colder regions (below USDA zone 5), provide a protective mulch in winter to protect the roots from freezing temperatures.

Divide: Eremurus should be divided every few years in early fall to maintain vigor.

By giving Eremurus the right conditions and care, you can enjoy their impressive height and lovely flowers in your garden. Remember, these plants can take a couple of years to become established, so be patient. Once they’re settled, they can offer a fantastic display.

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Garden Examples

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.