Asphodeline lutea – Spikes covered in chrome yellow 1-inch lobelia-like flowers in summer rise above grassy gray-green foliage in our stone garden. In harsh conditions and full, blazing sun this Mediterranean native flourishes. In USDA zone 5b following especially testy winters with no snow cover this King’s Spear will sometimes refuse to bloom; but in most summers it’s a doer in our xeric garden. The flowers are followed by glossy, marble-shaped deep dark green seed capsules which extend interest. After they are cut back the rhizomes send up fresh tufts of foliage that look fresh and clean until hard frosts. Do not plant King's Spear in good soil or it will languish and likely rot. Add lime to the scrabble. Clumping. On June 13, 2017: a dozen or so bumblebees danced around each other arcing from one flower to the next, from one tier to another, in a stand of three dozen saturated yellow flower stalks sporting candelabra whorls - exotic sparklers at the garden party. Spring planting in the north advised. Seed grown.