Burgandy Pineapple Flower
Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy' (Red Pineapple Lily) - Tropical looking bulbous plant that forms a rosette of upright 2 inch wide by 18 inch long dark reddish-purple leaves with wavy margins. In late July emerges the 2 to 2 1/2 foot tall spike bearing a tight terminal cluster of reddish purple bud open to paler pink to white flowers, all topped by a leafy crown of reddish purple leafy bracts. These tufted flower clusters resemble small pineapples on a stick and give this plant its common name. Plant it in coastal full sun to light shade in a well drained soil and irrigate regularly - although from South Africa this plant comes from summer rainfall areas and needs regular summer irrigation. Hardy to at least USDA Zone 8 - some claim down into zone 6. A great plant for the garden and the flowers are long-lasting when cut for the vase.