Fabulous Foxtail Lilies

Eremurus or foxtail lilies are incredible and dramatic plants from western Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, China, and Siberia that are sure to command attention when they bloom in the late spring and early summer garden.

Eremurus ‘Foxtrot’ has tall, stately spires up to 5 feet tall of shell pink to peachy pink flowers that appear as strap-like green foliage begins to die back.

remurus ‘Joanna’ can reach 8 feet tall with pale pink buds opening to white flowers.

Eremurus ‘Lemon Fizz’ has tall, stately spires up to 5 feet tall of lemon yellow flowers.

Eremurus grow from large octopus-like tuberous roots. In the spring the strap-like, almost succulent leaves emerge like an alien claw first held tightly together as they emerge from the ground and then spreading outwards somewhat like a Yucca. In late spring and early summer the tall inflorescences begin to rise reaching from three to 10 feet tall, depending on the species and cultivar. Each spike is covered in a foxtail or rocket of tiny lily-like flowers in shades of white, pink, peach, orange, or yellow. Few bulbs can offer so much drama in the garden.

Eremurus ‘Pink Fizz’ has tall, stately spires up to 5 feet tall of apricot pink flowers.

Eremurus himalaicus is a foxtail lily with dramatic spires of white flowers to 5 feet high!

Eremurus robustus is a foxtail lily with huge spires of pale pink buds opening to white flowers.

Foxtail lilies hail from full sun habitats often on the slopes of hills or mountains where soils are free-draining and often rocky or thin. In the garden make sure to provide Eremurus with excellent drainage. It is often recommended that you fill the planting hole first with gravel or coarse sand to allow water to drain away from the roots and avoid winter rot. Because of their wide-spreading roots give your foxtail lilies room to grow unencumbered by any nearby large-growing perennials. Instead, plant low groundcovers around them.

At Phoenix Perennials, we offer a wide range of foxtail lilies each year for pre-ordering through the summer and fall for pick-up or shipping in late September and early October. Should supplies last, we may also have them available potted up in early spring.