Eremurus x isabellinus Shelford' s Hybrids Tap Dance

The Eremurus 'Tap Dance' is part of a series of hybrid steppe lilies called Desert Candles, both highly ornamental and relatively easy to grow in European gardens: in late spring or early summer, its magnificent spikes rise, adorned with a multitude of small sun-yellow flowers with orange tips. This large bulbous perennial brings a touch of elegance and verticality to the back of flower beds, beautiful flowering pots, or stunning undulating alignments in the wind. The tall floral spikes are also very beautiful in bouquets.

The 'Tap Dance' steppe lily is a horticultural hybrid from the Shelford's Hybrids series, obtained by Sir Michael Foster in Great Shelford (Cambridge, England). All these plants are the result of cross-breeding between the Eremurus stenophyllus (= bungei), native to the steppes of Central Asia, and its cousin, the E. olgae, native to mountainous regions in northern Afghanistan and Iran. They belong to the asphodel family. The eremurus is a robust plant that can live for about fifteen years if well established, but it does not appreciate being disturbed. It has good resistance to dry cold, but it perishes in wet soil, from -5/-7°C (23/19.4°F).

The Eremurus 'Tap Dance' is a herbaceous plant with a fleshy root that resembles a spider or an octopus and measures about 20 cm (8in) in diameter. It is more of a tuberous stump composed of roots all around than a bulb. In spring, a large bud emerges from the ground, quickly forming a large rosette of leaves with a diameter of 60 cm (24in). These are ribbon-like leaves, 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12in) long, flexible, with rough edges, sometimes villous, and light green in colour. They dry out quite quickly during flowering, while the plant starts to enter a resting phase in a preferably dry soil. Flowering takes place from May to July depending on the region. From the stump, floral stems measuring 1.50m (5ft) to 2m (7ft) in height emerge, carrying floral spikes 20 to 50 cm (8 to 20in) long at their tips. Each spike is composed of a multitude of small star-shaped flowers, 1 to 2 cm (0 to 1in) in diameter, with sun-yellow petals and orange stamens. The flowers open successively from bottom to top, allowing the plant to have a flowering period of several weeks. The flowers, pollinated by insects, produce seeds that can be harvested and sown.

The Eremurus 'Tap Dance' is well suited for ornamental purposes in perennial flower beds that will hide its base, provided that neighboring plants do not suffocate it. Install it in small groups or in a line along a well-exposed wall, for example. In the garden, Eremurus pairs well with roses, garden irises, tall delphiniums, and botanical peonies. It also makes beautiful potted plants for the terrace, which can be easily protected from rain in winter. Create stunning bouquets by mixing eremurus with lilies or roses in matching colours.