Cardiocrinum giganteum, Giant Himalayan Lily

Glossy green, hosta-like leaves feed a mega-bulb that supports a tower of fragrance that wafts a considerable distance on the breeze. The parent bulb will die once it flowers, but the offsets will bloom in the following years, usually 3-4 years after the large bulb has expired. 10" white trumpets (as many as 20) with soft red brushstrokes adorn the 4 to 10-foot stalk! Huge, toothed seed pods and stalks dry wonderfully and mystify all who are unfamiliar! Here's a plant everyone will covet! You can tell them it comes from the mid-elevations of the Himalayas - exotic but tolerant of the cold. Imagine slogging through miles of bracken, leeches, and mud to come upon this spectacular sight, as the plant explorer, Frank Kingdon-Ward did. And you don't have to withstand the leeches! Rich, moist soil and light shade are ideal; plant with the nose of the bulb above the soil line. Protect the growing tip from frost with straw or other mulch. If desired, divide after its late June bloom.

 Mature size: 4 to 10-foot flower stalk, 2-3 feet wide

Minimum temperature: -10° F  And, importantly, not a fan of hot weather and direct sun!