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Foxtail lilies can be grown successfully with some simple care and the right conditions, making them a great choice for gardeners seeking tall, elegant blooms.
If you’ve been wondering how to grow foxtail lilies, this post will guide you through everything from planting to bloom time so you can enjoy these stunning flowers in your garden.
Foxtail lilies, also known as Eremurus, are known for their impressive, spiky flower clusters that add vertical interest to garden beds.
In this post, we’ll cover how to grow foxtail lilies including the best planting practices, soil requirements, watering tips, and how to care for them throughout the seasons.
Let’s get started on growing beautiful foxtail lilies that will brighten your outdoor space year after year.
Why You Should Grow Foxtail Lilies
Growing foxtail lilies offers several rewarding benefits that make the effort worthwhile.
1. Striking Vertical Interest
Foxtail lilies produce tall flower spikes that can reach up to 6 feet tall in some varieties.
These towering flower spikes add a dramatic vertical element to garden beds and borders that few perennials can match.
Their graceful, elongated clusters of star-shaped blooms look amazing in full sun gardens or along pathways.
2. Long Blooming Season
When you grow foxtail lilies, you get a long-lasting display of flowers from late spring into early summer.
Their blooms open sequentially from the bottom upwards, extending the flowering period and keeping your garden bright for weeks.
3. Attracts Pollinators
Foxtail lilies are excellent for supporting local pollinators.
Their nectar-rich blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, promoting biodiversity in your garden.
4. Low Maintenance and Drought Tolerant
Once established, foxtail lilies require minimal care and can tolerate dry conditions well.
This makes them perfect for gardeners looking for beautiful but low-maintenance plants.
How to Grow Foxtail Lilies Successfully
Understanding how to grow foxtail lilies involves providing the right conditions and care from planting through blooming and dormancy.
1. Choosing the Right Location
Foxtail lilies thrive best in full sun, so pick a garden spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
They need well-drained soil to prevent root rot, so avoid low-lying or wet areas.
If your soil is heavy clay or tends to stay wet, consider raised beds or adding sand or organic matter to improve drainage.
2. Preparing the Soil
Before planting foxtail lilies, loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches.
Incorporate plenty of compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil with nutrients and improve texture.
Foxtail lilies prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil pH, so you can add lime if your soil is very acidic.
3. Planting Foxtail Lily Tubers
Foxtail lilies grow from tuber-like roots, not bulbs like many gardeners assume.
Plant the tubers in the spring or fall, depending on your climate, about 4 to 6 inches deep with the pointed end facing upwards.
Space them roughly 12 to 18 inches apart so they have room to grow without overcrowding.
Planting too deeply or too shallow can inhibit growth, so be sure to get the depth right.
4. Watering and Mulching
After planting, water foxtail lilies well to help them establish.
Once established, they prefer moderate watering but tolerate some drought.
Avoid overwatering or allowing the soil to stay soggy, as this can cause tuber rot.
Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds.
5. Fertilization
Feed your foxtail lilies with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as growth begins.
Additional feeding can be done mid-season to encourage strong flower spike development.
Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can lead to more foliage and fewer flowers.
How to Care for Foxtail Lilies Throughout the Seasons
Proper care during the growing season and winter months helps ensure your foxtail lilies thrive year after year.
1. Supporting Tall Flower Stalks
Because foxtail lilies produce very tall flower spikes, they can sometimes need support.
Use stakes or plant supports early in the season to prevent the spike from bending or breaking in wind or rain.
2. Deadheading and Pruning
Remove spent flowers by deadheading the flower stalks to encourage a neat appearance.
However, many gardeners let foxtail lily flower spikes die back naturally for seed collection or to allow tuber nourishment.
Cut back foliage only after it has turned yellow and completely died back in autumn.
3. Protecting During Winter
In colder climates, it’s a good idea to mulch heavily around the roots of foxtail lilies in late fall to protect against freeze-thaw cycles.
Mulch with straw, leaves, or bark chips to add insulation.
In very harsh winters, consider lifting tubers and storing them in a cool, dry place until spring.
4. Controlling Pests and Diseases
Foxtail lilies are generally pest-resistant but watch for slugs and snails that may nibble young shoots.
Fungal diseases can occur if the soil stays too wet, so maintaining good drainage and airflow is essential.
Design Tips When You Grow Foxtail Lilies in Your Garden
Thinking about how foxtail lilies fit into your garden design can elevate their impact.
1. Pair with Low-Growing Plants
Since foxtail lilies reach tall heights, plant shorter companion flowers like lavender, catmint, or creeping phlox around their base for contrast.
This layering effect creates depth and visual interest in garden beds.
2. Use in Mixed Borders
Foxtail lilies work well mixed into perennial borders, adding height and texture without overwhelming other plants.
Their vertical spires blend beautifully with softer, bushier flowers.
3. Cut Flowers for Arrangements
One of the joys of growing foxtail lilies is their excellent use as cut flowers.
Their long-lasting blooms make striking additions to floral arrangements and bouquets.
Harvest flower spikes when the bottom flowers begin to open for best vase life.
So, How to Grow Foxtail Lilies?
To grow foxtail lilies successfully, start by planting their tubers in well-drained soil with full sun exposure about 4 to 6 inches deep.
Provide moderate watering, especially during the growing season, and apply mulch to regulate moisture and temperature.
Keep in mind that their tall flower spikes often benefit from early staking to prevent wind damage.
Remember to deadhead spent blooms and wait to prune foliage until it dies back naturally for healthiest tubers.
Mulch or lift tubers in cold climates to protect them from winter frost.
With suitable conditions and care through the seasons, growing foxtail lilies can reward you with spectacular vertical blooms that brighten your garden and attract pollinators.
They’re relatively low maintenance, drought tolerant, and add unique texture to mixed borders or garden beds.
Give foxtail lilies a spot in your garden and enjoy their exotic beauty year after year!