Eremurus Romance

Garden Express is delighted to announce the return of a very special and exceptionally beautiful Eastern European perennial. Tall, elegant, and irresistibly dramatic, Eremurus Romance makes a bold statement in any garden. Its towering flower spikes, densely packed with soft pink to blush-toned, star-shaped blooms, rise gracefully above clumps of strap-like foliage. Blooming from late Spring to early Summer, this striking perennial adds vertical drama and a touch of romance to borders, backdrops, or naturalistic plantings. Eremurus Romance produces tall, candle-like flower spikes in early to mid-Summer, as the foliage is beginning to die down. These make excellent cut flowers and add dramatic vertical interest to the garden. Also known as Foxtail Lily or Desert Candles, Eremurus produces spectacular spires of flowers that open sequentially from the base to the tip, creating a dynamic, long-lasting display. These luminous blooms are a magnet for pollinators, drawing bees and butterflies from afar to their nectar-rich blossoms.

To grow Eremurus successfully, choose a location that receives full sun for most of the day. These plants thrive in open, sunny spots with excellent air circulation, but due to their tall flower stems will benefit from protection from strong winds. The soil should be fertile and well-drained, preferably sandy or loamy, as Eremurus roots will rot in heavy or waterlogged soil. Avoid planting them in a clay based soil or consistently wet areas. Drainage can be improved by mixing coarse sand or gravel into the soil, or by planting on a slope or raised bed.

Plant Eremurus tubers as soon as you receive them, and handle them carefully. The brittle tubers are star-shaped and should be laid flat in the planting hole with the central crown facing slightly upward. Cover them with about 5 cm of soil. Each plant should be spaced 40-60 cm apart to give the roots room to spread.

After planting, water the area thoroughly to settle the soil. Do not fertilise at planting time; wait until foliage has emerged and is growing strongly before applying a complete fertiliser. For best results we recommend a slow release applied 2-3 times during the growing season. During the growing season, keep the soil moderately moist but never soggy. Once established, Eremurus are drought-tolerant whilst dormant, however better flowers will come from plants that are watered regularly during the growing season. Requiring a cool to cold Winter to flower well, they are hardy in more temperate areas but may need some frost protection in extremely cold climates; a light mulch such as straw or sugar cane mulch can be added in late Autumn and removed in early Spring as plants begin to break the surface.

Ensure plants are kept well weeded- do not have any sort of competition from weeds as this may cause flowers to abort. After blooming, allow the foliage to die back naturally. The leaves gather energy for next year’s growth, so make sure they are not removed prematurely. Eremurus will begin to multiply after their first two seasons—provided they’re happy in their environment. These stunning perennials prefer to be left undisturbed and thrive when allowed to establish for at least five years. Once the clump is mature, if you notice multiple flower spikes emerging from the same spot, this is a sign they are ready to be lifted and gently separated to encourage continued health and blooming. Please Note: Eremurus can be a little shy to flower the first growing season after replanting. This is normal and the end result is well worth the wait.

Because these precious plants do not like long storage periods, we are selling them as a pre order only, with a separate freight cost. The first round of plants will be in store to be dispatched from the week commencing 14th July.