Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Eremurus x isabellinus 'Cleopatra'
Cleopatra Foxtail Lily
- Family
- Asphodelaceae
- Height
- 4 to 6 feet
- Width
- 2 to 3 feet
- Flower color
- Burnt orange
- Foliage color
- Green, with long strap-like leaves
- Bloom time
- Early to mid-summer
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low to moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6a to 9b
- Wildlife
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; resistant to deer and rabbits
About this plant
Eremurus × isabellinus 'Cleopatra' is a deciduous perennial known for its tall, bottlebrush-like inflorescences. Originating from hybridization between Eremurus stenophyllus and Eremurus olgae, this cultivar showcases dense spikes of burnt orange flowers that bloom during June and July. The narrow, strap-like, bluish-green foliage forms a basal rosette, which begins to wither as the flowering stems emerge.
The towering floral spikes of 'Cleopatra' add a vertical accent to garden landscapes, making it a focal point in mixed borders or as a standalone specimen. Its bright blooms attract pollinators, adding lively movement and energy to the garden. While native to temperate regions of Asia, including areas from Turkey to China, Eremurus has been cultivated in various parts of the world for its ornamental appeal.
Works well in
Borders · Sun Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Hummingbird Gardens · Waterwise Gardens
Companion plants
Catmint · Coreopsis · Bearded irises · Bee balm · Yarrow · Ornamental grasses
Design tip
Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Give it open sun and room to fill out, and repeat it in threes or fives so the planting reads as one sweep instead of scattered dots.
