Eucomis comosa Sparkling Burgundy - Pineapple flower

Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy', also known as pineapple lily, stands out with its vigour and the magnificent colour of its foliage and flowering stems. Its opulent leaves are a dark burgundy-purple, a colour that fades and turns slightly green in summer, as if its colour migrates to its tall violet inflorescence where small flowers in shades of pink and cream bloom. Its powerful rhizome is quite hardy and is able to survive our normal winters. Its incredibly exotic appearance provides a great remedy for gardeners in need of colour and form. This plant thrives in pots and borders, and produces excellent flowers for bouquets. It should be planted in rich, moist, and well-drained soil.

Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy' belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It is a horticultural selection derived from E. comosa, native to southern Africa. It is a deciduous herbaceous perennial that develops from a large bulb. Over time, it forms a clump that reaches 70cm (28in) in height when flowering and occupies 60cm (24in) in width on the ground. In spring, its foliage emerges in a voluminous rosette of shiny dark purple to burgundy leaves. Initially small in size, they grow and expand until flowering. They are thick, long, and linear, arranged in a crown around a central axis. In the heart of summer (July-August), this eucomis unfolds a large purple flowering stem covered with violet buds that open into tiny pink and then cream flowers, crowned with a small bouquet of leaves, similar to the one found at the top of a pineapple. The flowering is followed by the formation of highly decorative pods. This plant produces bulblets around the main bulb, helping the clump to slowly expand over time.

Plant Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy' in a rock garden or along a well-drained flower bed, alongside kniphofias, crocosmias, and Gladiolus callianthus. On its own, it creates magnificent borders near pathways. It will also look elegant alongside helxine, columbines, ferns, tall foxgloves, or carpets of violets. Hardy to -10°C (14°F), Eucomis 'Sparkling Burgundy' grows in full sun or partial shade in any well-drained, rich, and moist soil. It is also easy to grow in a pot (which allows for overwintering), and its long-lasting flowers make beautiful exotic bouquets.