Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense ex. CGG#14112

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, each with a broad 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 represent seedlings from the Chinese or "eastern" variety of the species. This shorter growing (6-8 ft.) variety has quite a bit more red or purple in the flowers and the foliage and flowers typically emerge a week or two after those of the Himalayan variety.