Overview
Cardiocrinum cordatum is a columnar upright bulbs in the genus Cardiocrinum, part of the Liliaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Cardiocrinum cordatum grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include architectural, cottage and informal garden and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Cardiocrinum cordatum, known as turep in the Ainu languages, is a Northeast Asian species of plant in the lily family. It is native to Japan and to certain Russian islands in the Sea of Okhotsk (Sakhalin, Kuril Islands). Because of its large, showy flowers, Cardiocrinum cordatum is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental in regions outside its native range, though not as frequently as the related C. giganteum. Starch was extracted and used to create a form of dumpling, a staple of Ainu cuisine. Grow it in partial shade and loam soil. In UK gardens it is hardy in most of the UK (RHS H5). It works well for architectural, cottage and informal garden and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained conditions and north-facing, south-facing, east-facing and west-facing aspects. Plant at appropriate depth in well-drained soil.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cardiocrinum cordatum
About the genus
Cardiocrinum is a genus of bulbous plants of the lily family first described in 1846. They are native to the Himalaya, China, the Russian Far East, and Japan. The bulbs are usually formed at the soil surface.
Wikipedia contributors, "Cardiocrinum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cardiocrinum
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Cardiocrinum
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Cardiocrinum cordatum size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Cardiocrinum cordatum
- Propagation
- Seed, offsets after flowering
- Pest resistance
- Slugs
- Disease resistance
- Virus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Cardiocrinum cordatum?
Cardiocrinum cordatum prefers partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Cardiocrinum cordatum need?
Cardiocrinum cordatum grows best in loam soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Cardiocrinum cordatum hardy in the UK?
Cardiocrinum cordatum has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Cardiocrinum cordatum?
Seed, offsets after flowering.
More in the Cardiocrinum genus
- Cardiocrinum giganteumgiant Himalayan lily
- Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense
- Cardiocrinum aff. giganteum from Nagaland, India
- Cardiocrinum cathayanum