Foxtail lily (Eremurus robustus Regel)

A perennial plant growing up to 200 cm. The width of the crest is 40-60 cm. Inflorescence is leafless. The fleshy roots of the plant are unusually shaped, branching out in different directions and breaking easily. In spring, leaves emerge from a large central bud, followed by a very long flower.

Blooms in the months of May to July.

The small flowers are concentrated in long, erect inflorescences. The flowers are clustered in clusters, spreading successively from bottom to top, with a yellowish pastel color and a yellow central part. If the inflorescences are left on, the seeds take about 2 months to mature. Sown directly into the bed in autumn. The seedlings bloom after 4-6 years.

Propagation can also be done by dividing the bush (every 2-3 years). If the foxtail lily does not flower for several years, it may be due to root decay, lack of sun or late frosts. In autumn, it should be covered with a 15 cm layer of peat and spruce branches (to be removed in spring).

Tulip prickly pear (Opuntia phaeacantha Engelm.)

Tulip prickly pear’s stems are elongated, with long spines. The ovary is made up of elongated egg-shaped lobes. The latter are 10-15 cm long, with many spines.

In autumn, when the weather cools down, the stems wrinkle and lie flat on the ground, then rise again in spring. Yellow flowers with an orange center grow on stems older than two years. Roots are superficial. Plants are not covered.

Propagation by rooted cuttings, seeds. Seedlings should be planted in mid-summer in a permanent location. They are very low maintenance cacti that require minimal care, but only the right choice of location: as much sun as possible.

A south-facing orientation of the Alpine Garden for growing is best in order to remove moisture as quickly as possible.

Yellow whitlow-grass (Draba aizoides L.) 'Improved Napoleon'

A perennial scrotal plant. It grows to 5-10 cm and forms dark green, rounded scapes. The leaves remain dark green throughout the year. The stem is leafless. The flowers are bright yellow, clustered in small umbels (4-18 each).

Blooms in the months of April to May. Re-blooms again, but sparsely, in August.

The root system is vestigial, low branching. It is a sun-loving plant, best suited to light, carbonaceous soil. It is susceptible to excess moisture in winter and prolonged flooding in spring. Transplanted at the end of August to September. Propagated by seeds, stem parts and cuttings. Recommended for rock gardens because of its early and bright flowering. Dioscorides named the plant draba because of its burning juices.

Pineapple lily (Eucomis comosa (Houtt.) Wehrh.))

Perennial, herbaceous, bulbous plant. Grows up to 60 cm tall. Stems are cylindrical, green. Leaves are green, abundant, sword-shaped at the base, up to 50 cm long, 6 cm wide. The onion is large, egg-shaped, with roots at the bottom of the onion. The flowers are cream-colored, small, star-shaped, concentrated in a dense, cylindrical inflorescence about 30 cm high, with a leaf crown at the apex.

Blooms in the months of June to July, for about 20 days.

It grows best in warm, well-lit areas. It prefers loose, light-textured soils that are not waterlogged. Seeds are sown in boxes, indoors in spring or autumn, flowering in the 3rd year. Very sensitive to low temperatures: bulbs should be dug up and stored indoors at 5-10˚C in autumn when the temperature drops to 5-7˚C.