Eremurus x isabellinus Cleopatra | Desert candle

Eremurus x isabellinus 'Cleopatra' | Desert Candle | Foxtail Lily

Make a bold statement in your summer garden with Eremurus 'Cleopatra', a showstopping perennial also known as Desert Candle or Foxtail Lily. Its majestic spires, covered in hundreds of small, star-shaped apricot-orange flowers with red midribs, rise up to 150 cm high above a modest rosette of green foliage.

Flowering in early to mid-summer, each bloom opens progressively from the base to the tip of the spike, offering a long-lasting and ever-changing display. ‘Cleopatra’ adds dramatic vertical structure and warm color to borders, gravel gardens, and cut flower beds.

Drought-tolerant once established and loved by pollinators, this architectural plant thrives in sunny, free-draining spots. It’s especially effective when planted in groups or paired with ornamental grasses, alliums, or early summer-flowering perennials.

Plant Details

Botanical name: Eremurus × isabellinus 'Cleopatra'
Common name: Desert Candle / Foxtail Lily
Flower color: Peach-orange with red midribs
Foliage: Green, grassy texture
Height: 1.2–1.5 m
Spread: 20–30 cm
Spacing: 16 bulbs/m²
Blooming period: June – July
Scented: No
Pollinator-friendly: Yes
Hardiness zone (Latvia): Zonas 5–7
Life cycle: Perennial
Planting depth: Top just below surface (root crown shallow)
Planting season: September – November
Sunlight: Full sun
Position: Sheltered from wind
Soil needs: Free-draining; sandy, loamy, or compost-enriched
Soil moisture: Dry to moderately moist
Container growing: Suitable for large containers
Cut flower use: Excellent – dramatic vertical element
Rabbit/Deer resistant: Yes
Mouse resistant: No
Toxicity: Not known to be toxic
Skill level: Requires specific growing conditions (good drainage is key

Cut Flower Tips

• Harvest when lower flowers begin to open.
• Vase life: 5–7 days.
• Combine with Allium, Delphinium, or Roses for striking arrangements.
• For garden longevity, let foliage die back naturally after blooming.