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Asphodeline lutea
King's Spear
Plant Type:
SUN PERENNIALSAsphodeline 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.
Characteristics and Attributes for Asphodeline lutea
Season of Interest (Flowering)
- Summer
Season of Interest (Foliage)
- Spring / Summer / into Autumn
Nature Attraction
- Honey Bees & Native Bees
Light
- Full Sun
Attributes
- Border
- Drought Tolerant
- Rock Garden
- Natural Garden
Growth Rate in the Garden
- Medium
Soil
- Scrabbled
- Sandy
- Draining
- Calcareous
- Impoverished
- Average
Origins
- Mediterranean
Propagated By
- By Seed / Potted