Commonly known as pineapple lilies, these exotic-looking plants are generally hardier than they appear, and can bring a fresh burst of colour and scent to late-summer gardens
WORDS BENJAMIN POPE PHOTOGRAPHS RICHARD BLOOM
When in flower, plants in the Eucomis genus certainly live up to their common name of pineapple lily, having a bold, unmistakably tropical appearance that would suggest to the uninitiated that they are a specialist and difficult plant to grow. But unlike pineapples, they are far more adaptable to the UK climate and much less demanding in their cultivation, making them a fun, show-stopping plant to have in the garden.
The name Eucomis is derived from the Greek word eukomos, which means pleasing (eu) head of hair (kome). This fitting description refers to the ‘topknot’ that all species have at the tip of the main flowering stem, where a tufted rosette of leafy bracts resembles the top of a pineapple. As a genus, Eucomis was first described and published in 1789 by French botanist Charles L’Héritier, following the work of the Swedish naturalist Daniel Solander, who believed its previous naming of Fritillaria to be incorrect and that the plant should be moved into its own genus. This confusion was again down to the unique ‘tufted top’ that can also be seen on the crown imperial fritillary (Fritillaria imperialis).
Within the Eucomis genus, there are 13 named species that are scientifically accepted, and which occur naturally throughout southern Africa, from the northern countries of Malawi and Zimbabwe, through Botswana and down into South Africa and Lesotho, populating the wetter areas while being absent from the driest regions. The larger species, such as Eucomis comosa, occupy sheltered grasslands, forest edges, gullies and river banks, while the smaller species, such as E. vandermerwei, are more often found at higher elevations, on hilltops and rocky escarpments. This geographical separation has kept species apart, but National Collection holder Richard Clark of Panache Plants confirms that “in cultivation they are quite promiscuous and the larger species will cross-pollinate readily”.
From its initial discovery, there has been limited interest in Eucomis (when compared to other genera) with very little literature published, though in recent years specialist growers and breeders have been working to produce new varieties,
