Cardiocrinum giganteum

Sometimes it's up to the horticultural mythbusters to swing into action and this is one of those times. For years, I'd hear the oft-repeated line about cardiocrinums not growing in hot climates...well, hogwash. The problem is poorly stored dormant bulbs, which are usually DOA. We have 6-year-old seedlings in the garden that have now flowered twice. These quasi-monocarpic (main plant often dies after flowering, leaving small offsets) lilies grow as a basal set of bold-textured leaves until they store enough energy to produce a massive 8' tall spike in summer, laden with up to 20 large, white, fragrant flowers with an inner purple flush. After flowering, sow the seed or bulbils for the next generation...simply stunning. Cardiocrinum giganteum was named as one of the top 200 plants of the last 200 years by the Royal Horticultural Society...quite an honor. Light shade or morning sun, in slightly moist soils, is best for siting these in the woodland garden...now get busy with your cardio workout!