About
Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense is a bulbous perennial characterized by its basal rosettes of broad, shiny leaves that can reach lengths of up to 45 cm. The tall flower stalks, growing to about 3 meters, bear smaller leaves and support an impressive display of up to 20 trumpet-shaped flowers in summer. These flowers emit a strong fragrance and feature white petals accented with a green tint and maroon stripes.
About the genus
Cardiocrinum consists of sizable bulbous perennials featuring heart-like foliage and trumpet-shaped blooms that are similar to lilies. After flowering, they produce upright, elongated seed capsules. These plants are monocarpic, meaning the bulbs perish following the blooming cycle.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bulbs
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 2.5-4 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural
- Native to
- W. and C. China
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Plant bulbs just below the soil surface in autumn, in a cool, partially shaded, sheltered site in deep, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. Water freely in dry conditions and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 2-3 times when in growth. Topdress annually with leaf mould. Provide a deep winter mulch
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown in deep trays in a cool, shaded bulb frame as soon as ripe. Remove offsets after flowering. Offsets may take 4-5 years to flower; seed raised plants take 7 years or more
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to slugs
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to lily viruses