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Cardiocrinum spp.
giant lily
Overview
Cardiocrinum is a small genus of three bulbous perennials in the lily family (Liliaceae), known as giant lilies and grown for their towering flower stems. The largest, Cardiocrinum giganteum, reaches 5-13 feet (1.5-4 m) in bloom, while C. cordatum and C. cathayanum are shorter. Each plant builds a rosette of large, glossy, heart-shaped basal leaves over several years before sending up a single stout stem. The stem carries 10 to 20 nodding white trumpet flowers 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) long, streaked reddish-purple inside and strongly fragrant, especially at night. The bulb is monocarpic: after flowering it dies, leaving a ring of small offset bulbs that take a further three to five years to reach flowering size. Bloom comes in midsummer, followed by upright woody seed capsules. The genus grows in cool, moist, humus-rich woodland soil in shade and needs steady moisture through the growing season. Because each bulb flowers only once and then dies, a planting depends on a succession of offsets or seedlings to keep flowers coming year to year, and the multi-year wait before each bloom is a limitation.
Native Range
The genus is native to the Himalaya and the mountains of China, Japan, and Myanmar, where the plants grow in cool, moist mountain woodland. Cardiocrinum giganteum ranges through the Himalaya into western China, while C. cordatum occurs in Japan and C. cathayanum in eastern China.Suggested Uses
Giant lilies are grown in shaded woodland gardens, along the edges of tree canopies, and in moist, sheltered borders where the tall stems have a backdrop. The strong evening scent suits planting near paths and seating used after dark. They combine with ferns, hostas, and other shade plants that hide the fading basal leaves.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height5' - 13'
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 6 years
Bloom Information
Flowering comes in midsummer, generally June to August, once a bulb has built up reserves over five to seven years. The trumpet flowers open over two to three weeks and release a strong scent that carries on still evenings. Each bulb blooms a single time, after which it dies and leaves offsets to flower in later years.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white with reddish-purple throatFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 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