Eremurus
gerrit oskam (Sun, 26 Jan 2003 05:46:44 PST)

Dear Peter, Cathy and All,

You might be interested in some Dutch experiences with growing Eremurus
At commercial Dutch nurseries Eremurus is usually grown on light sandy
calcareous soils near the coast. These soils are porous and well drained
but will be wet during winter. The water table is usually kept at 60 -70 cm
below the surface of the fields.
(Dutch winters are always wet and have become wetter than ever over the
last years)
Minimum temperatures in this coastal area are rarely lower than minus 12
degrees Celsius but most growers will give some cover with straw as they
usually do with their bulbs.
The Ruiter hybrids have been named after the hybridizer/firm who bred them.
These are seen in florist shops in June as a cut flower.
I have grown Eremurus robustus and E. himalaicus on a very heavy river clay
for years. This soil could become very wet during winter but drainage was
good. (no water standing on the surface of the soil). The "bulbs" survived
occasional temperatures of minus 15 degr. Celsius without snow or straw
cover while settled and planted at a depth of 10 cm (as did Dracunculus
vulgaris much to my surprise but planted deeper).
Summerdrought is unpredictable here and summers can be wet. Temperatures
are usually between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius with short periods up to 30
degrees.
When I moved E. robustus to a lighter and poorer soil they died out within
a few years... (I should have feeded them) I do know of people complaining
about Eremurus never "doing" on their light sandy soils. Were I on such a
soil I should certainly give them stable manure as a cover in winter
eventually combined with some lime.
E. olgae has been growing for one season in my garden and then decided to
leave me. I think this is a difficult one which needs a really dry rest and
it doesn't like a long wet winter.
E. robustus is one of the most beautiful species and I think we are lucky
that it is also the easiest for garden culture while originating from
relatively damp habitats.
Key points for successful cultivation seem to me:
- fertile soil; Eremurus is a gross feeder
- a cold winter period of a certain length; this seems to me more important
than summertemps.

Best, Gerrit Oskam, Netherlands, zone 7-8