Arthropodium milleflorum (pale vanilla lily)

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Arthropodium spp.

Asparagaceae

Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Madagascar

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–10

Overview

Arthropodium spp. is a genus of about a dozen rhizomatous and tuberous perennials in the asparagus family, native to the southern hemisphere. Plants form clumps of strap-shaped to grassy basal leaves 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) long, grey-green to mid-green, above fleshy roots. Branched, airy flower stems rise 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) tall and carry many small star-shaped flowers, each about 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) across, white or sometimes pale mauve, with stamens bearing twisted, bearded filaments. A. cirratum, renga renga, has broad strap leaves and dense panicles of white flowers; A. milleflorum, pale vanilla lily, has narrow leaves and lightly fragrant lilac flowers. Flowering occurs in late spring and summer. Evergreen in mild, frost-free climates, several species die back to the root through cold or dry periods. Clumps widen slowly by short rhizomes and can be lifted and split. Foliage of A. cirratum bleaches and scorches in strong direct sun and is grazed by slugs and snails in shade.

Native Range

Native to Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and Madagascar. A. cirratum grows on coastal cliffs, rocky slopes, and forest margins in New Zealand, while Australian species occur in open forest, grassland, and rocky ground.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a clumping groundcover in shaded borders, under trees, and in coastal gardens, spaced 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) apart. Suited to containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L) that can be moved under cover in cold climates. Mass plantings cover shaded banks and dry shade beneath established trees.

How to Identify

Recognized by clumps of soft strap-shaped to grassy leaves and branched sprays of white to mauve six-petaled star flowers whose stamens have twisted, bearded filaments. A. cirratum has broad leaves to 2 inches (5 cm) wide and crowded white flowers; A. milleflorum has narrow leaves and more open sprays of fragrant lilac flowers. Roots are fleshy and somewhat tuberous.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs through late spring and summer, roughly November to January in the southern hemisphere and early to midsummer where grown in the north. Sprays open over 4-8 weeks. Light shade prolongs the flowers; hot sun shortens them.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to pale mauve

Foliage Description

grey-green to mid-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in part shade to dappled light in humus-rich, well-drained soil kept moist through the growing season. A. cirratum tolerates coastal wind and salt, but its leaves scorch and pale in strong inland sun. Hard frost cuts the foliage, which regrows from the root in spring in zones 9-10, while colder zones need lifting or container culture moved under cover. Slugs and snails graze emerging leaves in damp shade. Old clumps are lifted and divided in spring every 3-4 years. Plants tolerate dry shade once established but flower less in deep shade.

Pruning

Spent flower stems are cut to the base after bloom, and frost-damaged or tattered leaves are trimmed in spring as new growth begins. No other pruning is required. Self-sown seedlings can be lifted to limit spread.

Pruning Schedule

springsummer