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Asphodelus aestivus

Turkish Asphodel

This plant is not currently for sale. This is an archive page preserved for informational use.

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Item #: 4449

Zones: 7b to 9b, at least

Dormancy: Winter, Summer

Height: 60" tall

Culture: Sun

Origin: Southern Europe

Pot Size: 3.5" pot (24 fl. oz/0.7 L)


(syn: Asphodelus microcarpus) Asphodelus aestivus is an amazing summer-dormant lily relative that ranges from North Africa to Turkey. The evergreen, basal, lily-like, glaucous green foliage gives rise in late spring to 3-5' tall, thick stalks, topped with branched spikes of white, star-shaped flowers that open from the bottom upwards over a series of weeks. The flower spikes of Asphodelus aestivus could best be described as a branched liatris with gaura-like flowers. Turkish asphodel...not to be confused with the more dangerous Turkish infidel, has proven amazingly easy to grow and long-lived in our dry, full sun rock garden. The roots of Asphodelus aestivus are used both as a salve for cuts as well as to make a tea for upset stomachs. Asphodelus aestivus also has great potential as a cut flower, since it peaks on Mother's Day.