Although classed as a lily for many years, Cardiocrinum giganteum, an aristocratic woodland plant from the Himalayas, is unmistakably different. The bulbs eventually make 20cm across, from which a rosette of leaves then appear for 2 to 4 years before an astonishing and stately flower spike erupts, holding up to 50 glistening white fragrant trumpets each around 15cm in length. After that the main bulb dies, leaving many smaller ones that take a few years to reach flowering size again. RHS AGM award. Takes a while from seed but expensive to purchase bulbs.
