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Asphodelus ramosus

Asphodelus ramosus
Branched Asphodel, Branching Asphodel, King's Spear, Silver Rod, Poor Man's Eremurus

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This Asphodel is one of the most decorative species of the genus. This robust perennial forms an imposing clump, heavily flowering from April to June, with strong ramified stems adorned with star-shaped, white flowers delicately veined with green. They emerge from a rosette of narrow and leathery, grey-blue, deciduous leaves after flowering. A very architectural silhouette, with a surprising visual design within a mineral and dry setting.
Flower size
4 cm
Height at maturity
1 m
Spread at maturity
50 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time August to October
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Flowering time May to July
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Description

Asphodelus ramosus, also known as Asphodelus albus subsp. microcarpus or Branched Asphodel, is undoubtedly one of the most decorative species in the genus, as it forms a clump that can become imposing, and blooms abundantly in spring. Its strong, ramified stems are adorned with numerous star-shaped, white flowers delicately veined with green. They emerge from a rosette of narrow, leathery, grey-blue leaves that are deciduous after flowering. This robust and hardy perennial, which can withstand temperatures as low as -12/-15 °C (10.4/5 °F), thrives in poor, well-drained soil (even calcareous soil that is very dry in summer), and tolerates sea spray well.

Branched Asphodel resembles White Asphodel (Asphodelus albus), but is mainly distinguished by its branched stems. This genus includes about 12 species of perennials and annuals grouped in the Asphodelaceae (liliaceae) family. This botanical species, which is undemanding in terms of soil type, is a robust perennial plant with tuberous roots, native to the Mediterranean basin, particularly its western part.

The plant emerges from the ground in autumn as soon as the rains return, in the form of long, narrow, gutter-shaped, bluish-green leaves, gathered in a basal tuft 30 cm (12 in) high, which can reach 50 cm (20 in) over time. Flowering takes place from April to June, or a little earlier in mild and warm climates. A very tall, thick, and bushy stem slowly emerges from the heart of the rosette, initially in the form of a large brown bud. As it elongates, this bud becomes adorned with black and white stripes, until it reaches a height of 80 cm (32 in) to 1 m (3 ft). At this stage, the leaves spread out on the ground. The inflorescence is a very dense terminal spike. The small flowers are 4 cm (2 in) wide stars, with 6 white petals adorned with a green or brown midline and long stamens crowned with brown anthers. Flowering begins at the bottom of the spike and continues for over a month up to the tip of the stem, with the lower flowers withering as the others bloom. Note that asphodels generally bloom every two years. The remarkably honey-rich flowers are followed by the production of a large quantity of small round and brown fruits filled with easily germinating seeds. This plant does not appreciate its fleshy tubers being disturbed.

Branched Asphodel is also known as Silver Rod or King's Spear, but one could, if feeling more poetic, call it a "crystal torch"; you may have already come across it in nature forming a meadow where dazzling large "candles" light up like ancient lighthouses in a desolate landscape that is sometimes steppe-like and often rocky and rugged. This is often enough to convince enthusiasts of somewhat exotic-looking plants to want to adopt it in the garden, which is not difficult in well-drained soil. On a large limestone slope, it will accompany all dry-land plants: lavender, rosemary, Euphorbia characias, rockroses, Perovskia, escallonias, valerian and many others. In acidic and poor soil, it can be associated with shrubby heathers, Lithodora, or evergreen ceanothus.

Asphodels have long been associated with death. An ancient tradition was to place bouquets of asphodels on the graves of the deceased. The origin of this custom can be traced back to Greek mythology: a region of the underworld was called 'the meadow of asphodels' or 'the plain of asphodels', and it was here that welcomed the ghostly souls of the dead.

Asphodelus ramosus in pictures

Asphodelus ramosus (Flowering) Flowering
Asphodelus ramosus (Foliage) Foliage
Asphodelus ramosus (Plant habit) Plant habit

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time May to July
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 4 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour green
Foliage description Deciduous in summer, after flowering.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1 m
Spread at maturity 50 cm
Growth rate slow

Botanical data

Genus

Asphodelus

Species

ramosus

Family

Asphodelaceae

Other common names

Branched Asphodel, Branching Asphodel, King's Spear, Silver Rod, Poor Man's Eremurus

Botanical synonyms

Asphodelus albus subsp. microcarpus)

Origin

Mediterranean

Product reference8064111

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Planting and care

This small-fruited Asphodel grows spontaneously on rather acidic soils degraded by fire or repeated grazing, but it also tolerates limestone very well. This vine-plant, linked to fire ecology, resists it very well and takes the place of destroyed plants. This Asphodel is very accommodating to the nature of the soil and accepts both limestone and sandy or clayey soils, as long as they are properly drained and well loosened, as it particularly fears waterlogged soils in winter. Its roots also settle in rocky soils. It is preferably planted in the sun, in a well-cleared and even windy location. This hardy plant is particularly resistant to summer drought. It is planted in perennial beds, gravel gardens, and seaside gardens. Remove faded flowers if you want to avoid spontaneous sowing.

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Planting period

Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time August to October

Intended location

Suitable for Shaded rockery, Woodland edge, Undergrowth
Type of use Border
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, very well-drained or even poor

Care

Pruning instructions Remove faded flowers if you want to avoid spontaneous sowing.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time July
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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