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 Cut
Flower
of
the Month
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eremurus
BOTANICAL NAME
Eremurus
spp.
(AIR-ah-MUR-us or er-EM-u-RUS)
COMMON
NAMES
Foxtail lily, Desert candle, King’s spear
DESCRIPTION
Eremuruses
are tuberous-root plants that grow from 2 to 8 feet tall and
spread about 3 feet wide. Their spikelike racemes have dense
clusters of small, star-shaped flowers. They have long,
straplike green leaves that grow in basal rosette-shaped clumps
and die when the plants are in bloom, so foliage is rarely
present with cut flowers.
COLORS
The flowers are available in hues of yellow, white, pink, rose,
orange, apricot and copper.
VASE
LIFE
With proper care, Eremuruses can last from 10 to 14 days..
AVAILABILITY
In general, Eremuruses are in good supply from March
through August.
notable species
•
Eremurus bungei (syn. E. stenophyllus) - This is
one of the most commonly grown species for the cut-flower
industry, and it is also one of the smallest of the Eremurus
species; stem lengths range from 2 to 3 feet. Flowers are bright
golden yellow.
•
E. x isabellinus ‘Shelford’ and ‘Ruiter’ hybrids - These
stems grow to about 4 feet tall. The colors include gorgeous
hues of pink, salmon, yellow, apricot, orange and white. Certain
cultivars display striking bicolor combinations.
VASE-LIFE EXTENDERS
REFRIGERATION Eremuruses can
be held in floral refrigerators at 34 F to 38 F.
WATER Check the water level daily,
and add warm flower-food solution as needed. Remove any damaged
or dying florets. Recut the stems every two to three days to
ensure effective water uptake.
ETHYLENE SENSITIVITY Eremuruses
are sensitive to ethylene gas. Check with your supplier to make
sure your flowers have been treated with an anti-ethylene agent
at the grower level or during transportation. Signs of exposure
to ethylene gas include shattering (florets falling) and
premature color fading.
DISPLAY LOCATIONS Advise customers
to display their flowers in cool locations, out of direct
sunlight and away from heat sources.
HANDLE WITH CARE Take care not to
break the elegant but brittle tips of the flowers.
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fun facts |
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WHAT'S IN A NAME "Eremurus”
is from the Greek words ““eremia” meaning “desert” and “oura”
meaning “tall.”
FAMILY Eremuruses
are members of the Liliaceae
family. Common relatives include lilies, tulips,
Fritillarias and lilies-of-the-valley (Convallaria
majalis).
HOME SWEET HOME These hardy
perennials are native to central and western Asia,
particularly Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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of note |
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DESIGN TIPS Spikes flattened in
shipping can be fluffed up by rolling the stems back and forth
several times between the hands before hydrating.
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quality checklist |
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BLOOMS Purchase Eremuruses
when the lower one-third of florets on the spikes have opened
and the upper buds are showing color. Watch for spikes that may
be crushed or bruised. sfr
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Some information
provided by::
The Chain of
Life Network®,
www.chainoflifenetwork.org
Flowers and
Plants Association, www.flowers.org.uk
Van Engelen
Inc., www.vanengelen.com
Reach “Cut
Flower of the Month” writer Steven W. Brown, AIFD, at sbfloral@aol.com
or (415) 239-3140.
Photos courtesy
of the Flower Council of Holland
To enjoy the rest of this
issue, please go to the
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copy of Super Floral Retailing today!!!
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