The imposing appearance of the steppe candle (Eremurus) has given this plant popular names such as "tail of the lily" or "needle of Cleoptara". The popular garden plants can be staged particularly effectively in perennial beds and in front of rather dark ornamental grasses.

The steppe candle should be planted in a location that is as sunny as possible

What are the characteristics of the plants?

The steppe candle belongs to the Asphodel family and has rather inconspicuous leaves. On the other hand, the flowers are all the more impressive in most subspecies and inspire with a particularly long-lasting bloom due to the individual flowers that open from below. The plant has thick fleshy rhizome roots as an outlasting organ, with which it can overwinter quite easily in this country.

What should an ideal location for steppe candles in the garden be like?

In order to be able to collect enough energy for the formation of the magnificent inflorescences, steppe candles need a location that is as sunny as possible. This should also be as sheltered from the wind as possible and have a humus-rich and deep soil. This means that often necessary care measures such as stabilizing the flowers with support rods can sometimes be omitted. A combination with the following types of plants is particularly attractive in the garden:

  • ornamental grasses
  • climbing roses
  • Turkish poppy
  • switch millet
  • peony

Since the leaves of the steppe candle often wither during the flowering period, a suitable "privacy screen" should be created in the perennial bed with other plants.

What should be considered when planting the steppe candles?

Since the starfish-like looking roots are very brittle, they should be placed as carefully as possible in the planting hole during the planting period, which was previously dug a little deeper and lined with fine gravel and sand. With this measure, the necessary drainage is also achieved at the same time in order to keep waterlogging away from the sensitive roots of the steppe candle.

How can steppe candles be propagated?

After a few years in a suitable location, steppe candles often not only develop several flower stalks, but also underground daughter plants from so-called brood bulbs. For practical reasons, growing the steppe candle from seeds is less important than dividing the roots, which can take place in early autumn.

When is the best time to plant steppe candles?

In order to achieve flowering as early as possible in the following year, the roots of the steppe candles should be planted from the end of August, but no later than late autumn.

How long does the flowering period of steppe candles last?

Most steppe candles flower between May and July, depending on location and weather. Since the flowers last a long time as cut flowers after the first individual flowers have blossomed, the flowers of the various Eremurus species are very popular as home decorations in floor vases.

Which substrate has a positive effect on the growth of steppe candles?

The subsoil should be deep and humus for the cultivation of steppe candles in the garden. Too loamy soil can be protected against the risk of waterlogging by adding gravel and sand. If the steppe candles repeatedly do not bloom, it may be necessary to improve the soil with nutrient-rich compost and garden lime (€9.70).

tips

In order for steppe candles to develop optimally and their flowers, which can be up to 2.5 meters high, to develop unhindered, a minimum distance of about 30 centimeters should be maintained between the individual plants.

Category:

Herbs