Pineapple lily

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32879, 30 March 1972, Page 13

Pineapple lily

One of the most delightful bulbs for garden, pot or tub planting is the pineapple lily, of which there are about 12 species and a number of varieties. Their botanical name is Eucomis and all but one are native to South i Africa, the odd one coming from the tropical part of Africa. The habit of growth is very similar in all species. A tuft of leaves rises in rosette form from a bulb. From the centre of the rosette a thick fleshy stem develops and from this stem hundreds of six-petalled, star shaped flowers emerge in a thick mass towards the tip. As the flowers age they change from the most common colour of white to green, remaining open for months. At the same time the ovary enlarges and greens. The leaves can be quite long and broad in some species tapering to a point and have a fresh green colour which adds to their attraction. The flowers are very suitable as cut flowers and have a long lease of life. These bulbs are quite hardy and thrive best in a warm position in full sun although they will flower in partial shade if given moisture, which is desirable during the flush of the growing season. Good drainage and a soil which has been well boosted with organic matter will also help to produce the best results. Eucomis die down over the winter and have about a fivemonth dormancy period. It is during this time that the flat bottomed bulbs can be lifted, divided and either replanted straight away or left until early spring. The bulbs should be planted with the neck at or just below ground level. The flowers produce ample seed which germinates well and can give rise to some variations in colour. The seed should be sown in spring but flowering does not occur until the third season.

Off sets form slowly on the bulbs and these can be removed when the bulb is dormant.

The giant pineapple flower, Eucomis pole evansii, may develop a flower spike as high as 6ft, surrounded by uniform green leaves up to 30in long; the flowers are creamy white. This species prefers moister conditions than the others. At the other end of the scale is E. zambesiaea, of tropical African origin, with purple flowers

on a stem which may not attain 12in in height. The best known of the species is probably E. punctata which is often wrongly listed as comosa. It has white-tinted, wine or pink flowers smothering the top half of the 2jft flower stem which is sometimes spotted pale purple at the base. The wavy leaves also sometimes have purple colouration and the ovaiy turns a wine colour as it ripens.