Pink Foxtail Lily Bare Root | Eremurus | Dramatic 5 ft Spires | Deer Resistant | Zones 5–8

Pink Foxtail Lily – Eremurus | Bare Root

Few plants command a garden quite like the Foxtail Lily (Eremurus). Rising from a star-shaped bare root into soaring spires of densely packed flowers that can reach 4–5 feet tall, Eremurus is the exclamation point of the late spring and early summer garden. This Pink variety produces elegant, tapering wands of soft apricot-pink blooms that open from the base upward, creating weeks of sequential color and extraordinary vertical drama. Native to the steppes and mountain slopes of Central Asia — from Turkey and Ukraine through Russia, Siberia, and China — Eremurus is a true garden aristocrat: cold-hardy, deer-resistant, and breathtaking in full bloom.

Sold as dormant bare roots (spider-like crowns with spreading fleshy roots). Plant in fall for late spring blooms. Outstanding as a cut flower with exceptional vase life.

Variety Details

• Botanical Name: Eremurus (Pink variety)
• Common Name: Foxtail Lily, Desert Candle
• Bloom Color: Soft apricot-pink
• Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
• Height: 4–5 feet (120–150 cm)
• Type: Hardy perennial — USDA Zones 5–8
• Deer resistant; rabbit resistant; squirrel resistant
• Excellent cut flower — long vase life

Planting Guide

• When to plant: Fall, before the ground freezes — roots need a cold dormancy period to bloom.
• Site: Full sun to partial afternoon shade. Eremurus needs at least 5–6 hours of direct sun; afternoon and evening sun is especially beneficial.
• Soil: Well-draining, sandy or gritty soil is essential — Eremurus will rot in waterlogged ground. Amend heavy clay soils with coarse sand or grit before planting.
• Planting depth & spacing: Spread the roots out naturally in a wide, shallow hole. Set the crown 2–3 inches (6–8 cm) deep and space plants 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart.
• Sand bed tip: Rest the roots on a small mound or bed of coarse sand to ensure sharp drainage around the crown — this is key to preventing rot over winter.
• Watering: Water well after planting; keep reasonably moist during dry spells in the growing season. Reduce watering once foliage begins to yellow and die back after blooming.
• Winter protection: In colder zones, cover with a layer of dry mulch, leaf mould, or straw after the ground freezes to protect the crown from freeze-thaw cycles.

Growing Tips

• Allow foliage to die back naturally after blooming — do not cut it down early, as the leaves feed the root for next year’s bloom.
• Eremurus can be slow to establish in the first year; some plants may not bloom until year two. Be patient — the display is worth the wait.
• Avoid disturbing established clumps — Foxtail Lilies resent being moved once settled.
• Stake tall spires in exposed or windy locations to prevent wind damage.

Garden Uses

• Spectacular back-of-border accent — provides dramatic vertical structure
• Cut flower garden — stems last beautifully in arrangements
• Cottage garden, Mediterranean-style, and prairie-inspired planting schemes
• Mixed perennial borders alongside alliums, salvias, and ornamental grasses