About Eremurus robustus (Regel) Regel
Eremurus robustus, commonly called foxtail lily or giant desert candle, is a flowering plant species in the asphodel family. It is native to the Tien Shan and Pamir Mountains of Central Asia, and is widely grown as an ornamental plant. This is a very tall, narrow plant that produces a stem between 1.8 and 3.0 meters (6 to 10 feet) high. Its leaves can grow up to 120 cm (48 inches) long and 10 cm (4 inches) wide, making them the widest leaves of any species in its genus. The deciduous leaves range in color from bright green to bluish-green. The plant's inflorescence reaches up to 1.2 m (4 ft) in length, and is covered in numerous flowers that measure 4 cm (1.6 in) across, with colors ranging from deep pink to pale pink or white. Each flower has a brown blotch at its base paired with a green keel. Flower pedicels are longest at the base of the inflorescence, and decrease in length toward the tip of the structure. Each inflorescence holds between 700 and 800 flowers total, which begin blooming in June. By the time flowering starts, the leaves have usually already shrivelled. The Latin specific epithet robustus translates to 'sturdy, growing strongly', which references that this species is the largest in its genus. The species was introduced from Central Asia to Europe and North America in 1874, and remains popular for garden planting. Some gardeners consider it too tall for typical residential gardens. It prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full sun. When grown in cultivation in the United Kingdom, this plant has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
