Eucomis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- YOO-com-iss
- Description
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The scientific name Eucomis comes from a Greek word, Eukomos, which means 'Beautifully haired'. The common name comes from the blooms, which resemble a pineapple when in bloom. They are tropical perennial bulbs in the asparagus family native to South Africa. They will grow in full sun or partial shade; however, a full sun location will provide the best blooms and foliage.
They may survive in cold winter zones if properly protected. Plant deeply and/or cover with a thick layer of mulch. When grown in cooler zones where protection is not possible, they will need to be brought inside for the winter months, and replanted in the spring.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No major issues. They may have an unpleasant smell, as they are pollinated by flies.
VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Freckles'
Rose red flowers - 'Oakhurst'
Dark leaved - 'Sparking Burgundy'
Greenish bracts with burgundy - var. comosa
Sweet scent - var. striata
Greenish-yellow flowers
- 'Freckles'
- 'Freckles', 'Oakhurst', 'Sparking Burgundy', var. comosa, var. striata
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Freckles'
Rose red flowers - 'Oakhurst'
Dark leaved - 'Sparking Burgundy'
Greenish bracts with burgundy - var. comosa
Sweet scent - var. striata
Greenish-yellow flowers
- 'Freckles'
- 'Freckles', 'Oakhurst', 'Sparking Burgundy', var. comosa, var. striata
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eucomis
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Africa
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 4 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- The greenish-white flowers are tinged with purple. They will bloom for up to 8 week period beginning at the bottom and going upward.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The long, strappy, wavy-edged leaves are green or burgundy.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Flecked with contrasting colors. Green and purple-spotted.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
