Cardiocrinum giganteum var. giganteum ex. SEH#509

The famous and incredible Himalayan Giant Lily. This will top out at around 8 to 14 feet in height when it pushes its amazing flowering stalk into the air. The foliage is reminiscent of a large glossy green hosta which attains greater and greater proportions as the massive bulb gains strength year after year. At around 6 to 8 years old, the flowering stalk shoots upwards, bearing numerous huge white and highly fragrant lily flowers, typically with a red flush in the tube. Definitely one of the highlights in the early summer garden. Quite adaptable in the garden but best in a rich, moist soil in light shade although tolerant of full sun if kept moist enough. The tallest flowering stems are attained when plants are well fed and watered. These are grown from seed produced from plants originating in the eastern Himalaya and so are generally a bit earlier in the season, taller, and with less red in the flowers than in the Chinese or eastern variety.