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Eucomis bicolor

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
YOO-com-iss BY-kul-ur
Description

This summer bulb cultivar (meaning developed by humans) in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family is native to south Africa. It provides an attractive summer blooming pollinator plant that attracts bees and butterflies. Prior to blooming, a vertical stalk of green bracts with a top of of short leaves looks similar to a pineapple, hence one of its common names. Flowers bloom bottom to top, from the bracts, over a 6-8 week period during the latter half of summer beginning in July.  Purplish seeds appear after the flowers die out and remain on the stalk, prolonging the plant's ornamental value. Color varies by the cultivar or variety.

It prefers a well-watered but well-drained organically rich soil.  Keep the soil moist but not wet or soggy during flowering. It will grow in full sun all day or am only sun. This bulb can be long-lived. If grown in cooler areas, locate the bulb in a more protected location, planting the bulbs 4-5" deep and, in the fall, cover the bulbs with a thick layer of mulch. These bulbs grow well in containers, with the tips of the bulbs at the soil surface. Again, mulch in the fall. In zone 6 containers and any bulbs in the ground may need to be moved and stored in a protected area for overwintering.

It  can provide beautiful fresh cut flowers and is at home in perennial beds, containers, walkways, courtyards, and in woodland gardens.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#small spaces#easy to grow#bumblebee friendly#summer flowers#summer bulbs#cutting garden#pollinator plant#courtyard garden#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#woodland garden#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#small spaces#easy to grow#bumblebee friendly#summer flowers#summer bulbs#cutting garden#pollinator plant#courtyard garden#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#woodland garden#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Eucomis
    Species:
    bicolor
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Purple seeds
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Dozens of white/lime green blooms with a burgundy rim along a stalk. Stalk before and during bloom generally resembles a pineapple, including a green leaf topknot.
  • Leaves:
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Riparian
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies