Anthericum ramosum
branched St Bernard's lily
Central and southern Europe and western Asia
Overview
Anthericum ramosum is a clump-forming perennial growing 18-30 inches (45-75 cm) tall, with a basal tuft of narrow, grass-like, gray-green leaves 8-16 inches (20-40 cm) long. In early to midsummer it sends up airy, branched panicles of small, star-shaped white flowers, each about 0.5-0.75 inch (1.5-2 cm) across with six narrow petals and a small green ovary at the center. The branched flower stems separate it from the unbranched Anthericum liliago. Individual flowers are small and last a day or two, but the panicle opens in succession over several weeks. Small three-lobed seed capsules follow. Plants form slowly expanding clumps and reach full size over three to four years. Anthericum ramosum grows in full sun to light shade on dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil and tolerates poor, stony, alkaline ground. It is slow to establish and does not transplant well once settled. The fleshy roots rot in heavy, wet winter soil. Bloom is sparse in shade and on very dry sites.
Native Range
Anthericum ramosum is native to central and southern Europe and into western Asia, where it grows in dry meadows, open woodland, and rocky grassland on calcareous soils.Suggested Uses
Planted in dry borders, gravel gardens, and naturalistic meadow plantings, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart. Used in groups for the airy white summer panicles above grassy foliage. Suited to wildlife plantings and dry, sunny banks.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 2'6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Small white star-shaped flowers open in early to midsummer, June into July, on branched stems, each bloom lasting a day or two while the panicle opens in succession over four to six weeks. Three-lobed seed capsules follow by late summer. Bloom is heaviest in full sun.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to light shade on well-drained, dry to moderately moist soil, including poor, stony, and alkaline ground. Water through dry spells while establishing; once settled the plant tolerates drought. Leave the clump undisturbed, as it is slow to recover from division or transplanting. Cut spent flower stems after bloom unless seed is wanted. Heavy, wet winter soil rots the fleshy roots and kills the crown. Growth and bloom are slow in shade and on impoverished dry sites.Pruning
Cut spent flower stems back to the base after bloom, or leave them to set and scatter seed. Dead foliage is removed in late winter as new leaves emerge. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons