Eucomis vandermerwei

Pineapple Lily

The mountainous area around Dullstroom in Mpumalanga has yielded a very unusual dwarf Eucomis. The Eucomis Vandermerwii grows to only 10cm high and has variable maroon-green spots on its strap-like leaves. In summer it bears racemes of purple, tufted flowers.

This indigenous, deciduous bulb can be used as a rather unusual foliage plant in the garden, especially in rocky outcrops or in the open ground in a slightly sandy mix. It is also an excellent container plant, and looks particularly good if a few stones are placed between the bulbs in the container.

Eucomis Vandermerwii grows best in a sunny position and in soil that drains well. It will grow easily in most parts of South Africa and, coming from one of the coldest regions in the country, is very frost hardy. The bulbs multiply rapidly.