King's Flower Eucomis bicolor
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called King's Flower:
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-KO-miss BY-kul-ur
- Description
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This species of pineapple lily is a summer bulb in the asparagus (Asparagaceae) family and is native to South Africa. This long-lived bulb provides an attractive summer-blooming pollinator plant that attracts bees and butterflies. The genus name comes from a Greek word, Eukomos, which means 'Beautifully haired'. The common name comes from the blooms, which resemble a pineapple when in bloom.
This plant prefers moist, well-drained fertile soil in full sun to partial shade. It will spread slowly by bulb off-sets to form clumps. Propagation can be done by division. Plant bulbs in spring 4-6 inches deep and 12 inches apart. Mulch well to help retain moisture and provide winter protection. In zones 6 and lower the bulbs will need to be stored in a cool dry location. It is marginally hardy in zone 7.
The large strappy leaves form a basal rosette from which a flower stalk appears in summer. The densely packed spike of star-shaped florets blooms from bottom to top and is topped with green bracts giving it a pineapple look.They fragrance can be
It can provide beautiful fresh-cut flowers and is at home in perennial beds, containers, walkways, courtyards, as a specimen and in pollinator gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems but watch or slugs, snails and aphids.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eucomis
- Species:
- bicolor
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Africa
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Purple seeds
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Cylindrical raceme on stout stems with creamy-white florets streaked in purple. Individual flowers are star-shaped with 5 petals.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The large strappy foliage is sometimes mottled in purple on the undersides.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Maroon-speckled stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Rabbits
