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Botanical name: Hymenocallis ‘Tropical Giant’
This exotic variety produces spectacular flowers that are noteworthy both for their intricate design and fragrance; flowers resemble spidery daffodils with 6 narrow petals and a large cup; a unique selection for the garden or container.
| Hardiness zone | 8b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | white |
| Foliage type | deciduous * |
| Plant form | towering |
| Mature height | 3 feet |
| Spread | 3 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun to partial shade |
| Moisture requirements | average to moist |
| Plant origin | hybrid |
* deciduous = loses leaves in winter
Tropical Giant Spider Lily features showy spikes of fragrant white spider-like flowers with chartreuse eyes at the ends of the stems in mid summer. Its glossy sword-like leaves remain green in color throughout the season. The fruit is not ornamentally significant.
Tropical Giant Spider Lily is an herbaceous perennial with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Tropical Giant Spider Lily is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Accent, Mass Planting, General Garden Use, Container Planting
Tropical Giant Spider Lily will grow to be about 30 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 8 years.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by multiplication of the underground bulbs; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.
Tropical Giant Spider Lily is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
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