Cleopatra Foxtail Lily

Bursting With Towering Orange Blooms

The radiant Cleopatra Foxtail Lily (Eremurus 'Cleopatra') is a showstopper in the early summer garden. Its tall, statuesque flower spikes are crowded with hundreds of glowing orange, star-shaped blooms that each resemble miniature Lilies.

These stunning, torch-like spires can reach up to 4-6 feet tall and bloom in late spring to early summer, drawing every eye upward and beckoning pollinators galore! A true vertical marvel, Cleopatra is fragrant, sun-loving, and dramatic enough to steal the scene wherever she’s planted!

The bloom stalks emerge above a tidy, low-growing rosette of green, strap-like leaves. These basal leaves begin to die back just as the flowers start their show, giving the bloom spikes an otherworldly, leafless effect!

Part of the Asphodel family and related to Daylilies and Aloe, the Cleopatra Foxtail Lily symbolizes ambition, courage, and blazing beauty. Perfect for bold gardeners who love a regal touch!

>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions

Key Features

• Tall, narrow flower spikes loaded with orange, starry blooms
• Blooms in late spring to early summer
• Strap-like green foliage that dies back as flowers bloom
• Fragrant and beloved by pollinators
• Grows 4-5+ feet tall, up to 2 feet wide
• Hardy in Zones 6-9
• Herbaceous perennial. Returns bigger and better each year!
• Deer and rabbit resistant

Landscaping Uses

At 4-5+ feet tall, the Cleopatra Foxtail Lily adds bold vertical interest to the garden like a fiery-orange exclamation point!

• Dramatic back-of-border vertical accent
• Elegant statement in sunny cottage gardens
• Pairs beautifully with Delphiniums, Alliums, or Hollyhocks
• Glows as a specimen in a mixed perennial bed
• Must-have in a cutting garden for long-lasting indoor arrangement thrillers!
• Adds color and structure to a drought-tolerant Rock Garden
• Eye-catching in formal or exotic herbaceous borders

Care and Maintenance

This statuesque herbaceous perennial bulb is both sun-loving and drought-tolerant once established, but needs excellent drainage and careful planting to thrive.

Native to Central and Western Asia, Eremurus species like Cleopatra bring exotic flair with surprising hardiness. Hardy in USDA Zones 6 through 9, she appreciates full sun and sandy, well-drained soil.

Beneath the surface, the roots are like spidery tubers and need very gentle handling! No roughhousing with this royal! Though herbaceous, Cleopatra dies back for winter and reliably returns every year with even greater vigor.

• Planting Time: Plant in fall so roots establish before bloom season
• Sun Needs: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
• Soil Needs: Requires well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. Does not tolerate clay
• Moisture Needs: Moderate; drought tolerant once established
• Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch deep layer of arborist mulch in fall to protect from winter moisture and freeze-thaw
• Fertilization Needs: Use compost or bulb fertilizer in early spring
• Pruning Info: Cut spent flower stalks down after blooming; remove dying foliage as it browns
• Special Needs and Tricks For Success:
• Handle roots gently. Plant them like spider legs resting just below the surface
• Needs excellent drainage. Elevated beds or sand-amended soil are ideal
• Avoid wet soil in winter!
• Tolerates drought, deer, rabbits, and high summer heat
• Division Info: Dig and divide tubers every 5-7 years in fall if overcrowded

Let Cleopatra Rule the Garden!

Let your garden take center stage with Cleopatra Foxtail Lily’s skyward spires and glowing orange flame. It’s the kind of plant that makes you pause, gasp, and tell your friends all about it. Perfect for dramatic garden beds and sun-drenched borders, it’s both elegant and easy to maintain once established.

Order now from Nature Hills Nursery and we’ll deliver your Cleopatra Foxtail Lily bulbs at the proper planting time for your growing zone!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you plant Cleopatra Foxtail Lily roots?
Handle gently! Plant the tuberous roots like a spider, with legs outstretched just below the soil surface, in well-drained soil amended with sand.

Is Foxtail Lily the same as Eremurus?
Yes, Foxtail Lily is the common name for Eremurus, a genus known for tall spires of small Lily-like flowers.

When should I plant Cleopatra Foxtail Lily?
In fall, ideally September to October, so roots can establish before winter.

Does Foxtail Lily bloom in the first year?
Often it does, but some gardeners report the best show in year two. Patience is rewarded!

Is Cleopatra Foxtail Lily good for cut flowers?
Absolutely! Harvest early in the bloom cycle and enjoy their tall, striking presence in arrangements for a long time.

Can I grow Foxtail Lilies in containers?
Only in very deep containers with excellent drainage. They perform best in-ground in sunny, open spots.

What animals bother Foxtail Lilies?
Rarely any! They’re naturally deer and rabbit-resistant.

Why Order From Nature Hills Nursery?
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