Although classed as a lily for many years, Cardiocrinum giganteum an aristocratic woodland plant from the Himalayas is unmistakably different. The bulbs eventually make 8" across, from which a rosette of leaves then appear for 2 to 4 years before an astonishing and stately flower spike erupts, with up to 50, 6" long glistening white very fragrant trumpets. After that the main bulb dies, leaving many smaller ones that take a few years to reach flowering size again. RHS AGM award. Slow from seed but very expensive to purchase bulbs.
