Description
The pineapple lily is a bulbous plant of the hyacinth family from South Africa. It owes its beauty to its unusual inflorescence made up of numerous flowers and crowned at the top with a tuft of leaves. Anyone who sees it once will want it in their garden. Two species are available: Eucomis bicolor and Eucomis punctata.
Pineapple lilies look wonderful in borders and are often used as edging plants; they can also be grown successfully in containers on terraces or balconies.
Requirements
It needs partially shaded, airy, moist positions and deep sandy-loam soil. It needs watering and several moderate feeds during the growing season.
Care
Plant the bulbs at the end of April so that the tip of the bulb is level with the soil surface, covered with a thin layer of compost. When growing in pots, remember to leave a few centimetres of soil under the bulb. The pot must have a drainage hole for excess water and a drainage layer at the bottom. Pot the bulbs in April, but put them outside only in May, when there is no longer any danger of spring frosts.
Once the flowers appear, feed the plants every week with a fertiliser for flowering plants. After flowering, cut off the flower spike and feed with a fertiliser for foliage plants. This lets the plant rebuild the bulb and flower just as profusely next year.
Pineapple lilies do not overwinter in the ground – those planted in the garden should be lifted at the beginning of October and stored covered with sawdust or sand in a dry, cool room. In the warmest regions of the country the bulbs may possibly be left in the ground over winter, but they must be covered, e.g. with dry leaves and spruce branches. Remove the cover only when the frosts are over.