Van Bourgondien

First year in zone 7, I just got leaves but no flowering. This 2nd year, I now have a beautiful display of delicately fine unique flowering - absolutely love them. Mine are about 2' so I suppose next year will be even bigger. I know they spread too because I've seen it already. but I don't think that's a problem since their width is so small...it's ok for them to pop up here and there. They're prettier in the garden than the picture.

I have planted Lucifer about 3 years ago (I live in Southern California--zone 9-10). The first year it grew as pictured, beautiful and small. The next year it doubled both in height and quantity and now some flower steams are over 6 feet tall and the leaves are competing in size with my otherwise huge, over 30 years old, Bird of Paradise plants. I would say that what started out as a single bulb is now about 30 bulbs (I cannot tell because of the thick ground cover I have in that area), the plant is about 6-7 feet tall and about 6 feet wide.

It is quite beautiful but be warned of its size in southern climates! The flowers are gorgeous both before and after they open. I also love when the seed heads show up. It is truly a gorgeous plant and I think a good alternative for a Bird of Paradise, except that the Lucifer goes dormant in the fall.