eremurus

The other bulb both growers believe is underused is the Eremurus.

They possibly also feed on flower-heads of Eremurus.

Elwes was famous for his breeding of Nerine and Eremurus.

Hybrids of Eremurus, desert candles send up spires that can soar to nine feet.

"We planted eremurus - foxtail lily from Tibet - which comes up through the roses and is not a standard bedding formula.

Protect the roots of slightly tender plants such as agapanthus, eremurus and mimosa (acacia) with dry mulch.

Eremurus tubergenii:

Now Tom uses more perennials and bulbs: Eremurus 'Joanna', achilleas, cardoons, astrantias and many grasses.

Then I remembered that this eremurus is native to the Pamir and Tien Shan mountains in central Asia, where the winters are terribly harsh.

"And he can help give your planting an edge by suggesting new and unusual plants, as he did for me with those wonderful eremurus [the dramatic missile-shaped foxtail lilies]."

However, initially, I was surprised to discover that my clumps of the spectacular foxtail lily, Eremurus robustus (which is actually a herbaceous perennial with fleshy roots) are jam-packed with plump healthy buds, and likely to produce better flower spikes than ever before.

A light, airy feel is given by the white vertical sparklers of Eremurus 'Joanna' and silver- leafed pear trees - these give a hazy, layered effect; as do the grasses, Sesleria set with violas, Carex muskingumensis with Mathiasella bupleuriodes, and Carex rostrata planted through Zantedeschia.