pineapple-lily season: easy eucomis bicolor
NEXT TO CANNAS, which are about the easiest non-hardy bulbs or bulb-like plants to carry over year to year carefree in the cellar, I’d have to say that Eucomis bicolor, the pineapple lily (Zones 7 or 8 to 10), is winning me over for its similarly cooperative nature and long season of showing off. I enjoyed the potful that a friend gave me so much that this spring I ordered a dozen bulbs, and put three or four in each of several 12-inch containers. From the first purple-spotted leaves and stems to the crazy flowerheads, above, a winner. How to grow, and overwinter, Eucomis in pots.
So beautiful! I’ll have to plant some of these next year.
Hi, Stephanie. They are beautiful, such oddballs but so intricate and unusual looking. Nice to hear from you!
On a matter totally unrelated to pineapple lilies, I just want to thank you for providing the link to U of Minn plant I.D. site. I’ve been trying to identify an invasive plant in our flower beds and FINALLY found it there. Turns out to be Creeping Bellflower, campanula rapunculoides, pretty but enough already. Thanks again for this AMAZING blog. You’re the BEST!
Glad you found your weed, Burndett — and yes, ENOUGH ALREADY. :)
Good point re: water, Rachel. They want to be totally dry in storage, but not while growing, it seems. Thanks!
I like to let most containers dry out between waterings, but not Eucomis! In my experience it can be “watered liberally,” soaked anytime. Amazing plant — thanks Margaret.
These are going on my plant list for next year! Love the foliage as well as the blooms. Something new to me. Thanks for the inspiration.
Your slide shows make me smile. Keep those photos coming. They take me right out to my own garden.
Thanks, Iliana. How nice of you to say so!