Cardiocrinum giganteum (Giant Himalayan Lily)

A fascinating beauty, Cardiocrinum giganteum (Giant Himalayan Lily) is a tuberous perennial boasting terminal racemes of up to 20 fragrant, trumpet-shaped white flowers, up to 8 in. long (20 cm), adorned with purple throats. Blooming in summer, they are borne atop thick, straight, sturdy stems and rise above a basal rosette of huge, glossy, broad-ovate, dark green leaves, up to 15 in. long (37 cm). The blossoms are followed by decorative seed capsules. Then the whole plant dies, leaving many small offset bulbs that will flower within a few years. A magnificent flowering bulb for the shade garden.

• Grows up to 7-9 feet tall (210-270 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm).
• Performs best in part shade, in deep, humus-rich, fertile, well-drained soils. Intolerant of waterlogging and may need some protection from frosts in colder areas. Mulch in winter in frost-prone areas. Fertilization helps develop bulb offsets.
• A wonderful addition to borders, cottage gardens, and woodland gardens. Best grouped or massed.
• No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for slugs. Bulb rot may occur in wet, poorly drained soils.
• Propagate by seed, sowing in deep pans with bottom heat, or from offsets after flowering. May take up to 7 years to flower from seed; offsets may take 4-5 years to flower.
• Set out bulbs in early spring (in fall in mold winter areas). Plant new bulbs 2 ft. (60 cm) apart with their tips just beneath the soil surface.
• Native to China, India, Myanmar, Tibet