King's Flower Eucomis comosa

This summer bulb 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. This bulb can be long-lived.  Plant this bulb 8" (20 cm) deep, spacing bulbs 6-12 in. (15 cm) apart; one per 6-in. pot.  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.