Eremurus

Foxtail lilies or desert candles. Eremurus comes from the Greek words: eremos (desert, lonely) and oura (tail). Its natural sites are the dry rocky and heavily grazed mountain slopes from eastern Turkey to the Himalayas, with species in China. The roots are thick and fleshy and reminiscent of a very large model spider. Despite this 'size', an Eremurus should be planted very shallow: three cm of soil on the root-forming tuber is sufficient. As its natural habitat indicates, an Eremurus requires a well-drained and nutrient-rich sandy soil in a sunny spot. Take care in winter, as Eremurus is somewhat sensitive to frost, so cover it.