Overview

Anthericum ramosum is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Anthericum, part of the Asparagaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.5-1 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Anthericum ramosum grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. It is drought resistant and low maintenance. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, low maintenance, banks and slopes, flower borders and beds and cut flowers. It is native to Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece and Hungary.

About

Anthericum ramosum, commonly known as branched St Bernard's lily, is a herbaceous perennial in the Asparagaceae family. It has a columnar upright habit and deciduous foliage, growing to between 0.5 and 1 metre in height and spread over 2 to 5 years. This cultivar thrives in full sun and is suitable for west, south, or east-facing aspects, tolerating both exposed and sheltered conditions. It prefers moist but well-drained or well-drained soils of chalk, loam, or sand, across a range of pH levels from acid to alkaline. It is drought resistant and low maintenance, with interest spanning spring, summer, and winter.

About the genus

Anthericum is a genus of species, rhizomatous perennial plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. It was formerly placed in its own family, Anthericaceae. The species have rhizomatous or tuberous roots, long narrow leaves and branched stems carrying starry white flowers.

Wikipedia contributors, "Anthericum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Anthericum

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Anthericum

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Aspect

West-facing, South-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H5

Plant details

Anthericum ramosum size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Herbaceous Perennial

Habit

Columnar upright

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

0.5-1 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

2-5 years

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Low Maintenance, Banks and slopes, Flower borders and beds, Cut flowers

Native to

Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Anthericum ramosum

Cultivation

Prefers full sun and well-drained soils; drought tolerant once established; low maintenance; suitable for various soil types including chalk, loam, and sand; tolerates a range of pH levels.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stems after flowering to maintain appearance; cut back foliage in late autumn or early spring before new growth.

Propagation

Seed sown in pots in a cold frame in spring or autumn, Propagate by division in spring

Pest resistance

Slugs, Snails

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions