Asphodelus aestivus

(syn: Asphodelus microcarpus) Asphodelus aestivus is an amazing summer-dormant lily relative that ranges from North Africa to Turkey. The evergreen, basal, lily-like, glaucous green foliage gives rise in late spring to 3-5′ tall, thick stalks, topped with branched spikes of white, star-shaped flowers that open from the bottom upwards over a series of weeks. The flower spikes of Asphodelus aestivus could best be described as a branched liatris with gaura-like flowers. Turkish asphodel…not to be confused with the more dangerous Turkish infidel, has proven amazingly easy to grow and long-lived in our dry, full sun rock garden. The roots of Asphodelus aestivus are used both as a salve for cuts as well as to make a tea for upset stomachs. Asphodelus aestivus also has great potential as a cut flower, since it peaks on Mother’s Day.