Asphodel – King’s Spear
The classic Asphodel is rarely seen in gardens although its interesting, tall and stately spikes of yellow and white flowers are of interest to garden lovers. The Asphodels are variously cataloged as Asphodeline and Asphodelus; the former genus is erect and has leafy stems, the latter is stemless. In Asphcdeline lutea the flowers are sweet scented and yellow, the stems 3 feet to 4 feet tall. The plants bloom in June. In Greece it is wild and is always associated with waste places and the dead. To us it has no such associations. The name King’s Spear, is often used for this plant. There is, however, another perennial, the Eremurus, which is called by that name.
GENERAL. The Asphodels are excellent border plants, where they may be grown in partial shade or sun. They are suited to most garden soils.
PROPAGATION. The plants are readily divided in Spring or Fall. Seed is advertised in some catalogs
