Hardy Zone 6 to 10, evergreen in Zone 8 and up, otherwise herbaceous
Rare, tuberous, Aloe-like herbaceous perennial native to the shores of the Mediterranean. Slow-growing but tenacious, the plant awakens early in the spring, sending forth multiple, long, pointed, succulent leaves followed by the upright flowering plume, showy striped white. During the summer, the flowers give way to interesting seed capsules, light mahogany brown. Historical usage (TWM): acrid roots used to dissolve unwanted growths, tumors, freckles. Roots used to make glue, also boiled and combined with other ingredients to make “asphodel bread.” Not much used in modern herbalism. The plant prefers full sun and a dryish exposure and is tolerant of salt and wind. This plant grows on you. Standard greenhouse culture or lights are unlikely to prove effective germination strategies. Sow seeds in spring, summer or fall to germinate the following spring. Good growers will find these to be quite reliable. Use outdoor nursery bed technique, outdoor flats, gallon pots or unheated greenhouse. Work up in successively larger pots. Give them plenty of space on the landscape, they are show plants that look well singly. Flowers to 3 feet.
10 seeds per packet, Certified Organically Grown
*No refunds or replacements on asphodel seeds. New crop seeds simply need to be given the right conditions for dependable germination.
