Eremurus robustus aka Foxtail Lily

Eremurus robustus is a tall perennial in the Asphodelaceae family. Its common names include giant desert candle and foxtail lily. It comes from Central Asia, including Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. In the wild, it grows in mountain meadows. These sites include dry, stony slopes with much gravel. The plant grows from a crown with fleshy, spreading roots. These roots form a star-like shape and can break easily.

Flower stems reach about 8–10 feet (2.4–3.05 metres). RHS gives a broader height range, reaching 13 feet (4 metres). Missouri Botanical Garden lists a spread of 3 feet (0.91 metres). RHS lists up to 5 feet (1.5 metres). Long, blue-green leaves form large clumps near the ground. Each leaf can reach 4 feet (1.2 metres) long. Leaves grow up to 4 inches (10 centimetres) wide. They die back in midsummer after the plant flowers.

Tall, leafless stems carry dense, upright flower spikes. These spikes can measure 3–4 feet (0.9–1.2 metres) long. The fragrant flowers are pale pink to peach-pink. Each flower has six petal-like tepals and yellow stamens. RHS also notes brown marks at the petal bases. Missouri Botanical Garden gives June to July as the flowering period. Chicago Botanic Garden lists May to June. Its flowers attract butterflies and suit cutting for indoor use.

Grow this plant in full sun with shelter from wind. It needs fertile soil that drains well. Sandy loam suits it; unamended clay can cause problems. It tolerates drought, though Missouri Botanical Garden lists moderate water needs. RHS accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline soils. Its UK hardiness rating is H6. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 5–8. Tall flower stems may need stakes to hold them upright. Autumn mulch can help, but keep the crown clear. Dry mulch can also protect young spring growth. No pruning is needed.

Use it at the back of beds or borders. Dark shrubs behind it make the pale flowers stand out. It also suits gravel gardens, slopes, and prairie-style planting. Slugs may damage it, and poor drainage can cause root rot. Sources report few other serious pest or disease problems. It can prove hard to grow in the St. Louis climate. Plants For A Future records boiled young roots as edible. It reports no known hazards, but gives no specific pet-safety evidence. The roots also supply glue; no medicinal uses are recorded.