Foxtail Lily Eremurus 'Rumba'

Planting Advice for Eremurus 'Rumba' Foxtail Lily:

• On receipt, plant straight away and feed well when shoots emerge. Then leave them alone!
• Take care when planting as the roots can be quite brittle.
• Grow in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Alternatively, can be grown successfully in a pot.
• Before planting, prepare the soil by digging over and removing any weeds. Incorporate organic matter such as garden compost to open up the soil. If the soil is heavier, to aid drainage, consider raising the soil level of the bed intended for planting.
• Knock the plant from its container.
• Use a trowel or spade to create a hole just deep and wide enough to set in the root ball.
• Add a 2.5cm (1in) layer of horticultural grit to the bottom of the planting hole.
• The aim is to set the plant to the same level as it was in the pot, leaving the base of the shoots or stem above ground.
• Backfill around the plant and firm in well.
• Water in well to settle the soil and prevent desiccation.
• This would also mark a good spot for inserting a stake, if needed.

Aftercare Advice for your Foxtail Lily 'Rumba':

• Once in active growth, feed with high potassium fertiliser such as sulphate of potash.
• Keep plants well-watered when in leaf. When dormant in summer they enjoy dry conditions.

Pruning Advice for Foxtail Lilies:

• Foliage begins to die back after flowering and should be allowed to die back naturally. Unless you are keeping seed, flower spikes can be removed when the blooms have dropped.