Foxtail Lily 'Tropical Dream': Soaring Spires of Peach & Orange

Few perennials make a vertical statement like Eremurus × isabellinus 'Tropical Dream'. In early summer, this foxtail lily sends up towering 5–7 foot spires densely packed with hundreds of star-shaped flowers in a sunset gradient of peach, apricot, and soft orange—each spike a living torch above the garden.

Botanical Profile

Family:	Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Eremurus (er-EE-mur-us)
Species:	× isabellinus (iz-uh-bel-LEE-nus)
Cultivar:	Tropical Dream

Spectacular Architecture

The flowers open from the bottom upward over several weeks, creating an ever-changing display. The basal rosette of strappy leaves emerges in spring but often yellows by flowering time—plant companions like ornamental grasses, Nepeta, or Salvia to mask the foliage. The dramatic height makes 'Tropical Dream' ideal for the back of borders or as a focal point in island beds.

Critical Growing Requirements

• Excellent drainage is non-negotiable—plant on a mound or raised bed
• Full sun; at least 6 hours direct light
• Plant the brittle, starfish-like crown just below soil surface in autumn
• Space 18–24 inches apart; avoid disturbing once established
• Mulch lightly for winter protection in zones 5–6
• Stake in windy sites; stems are strong but top-heavy

Companion Planting

Surround with lower perennials that peak later: Echinacea, Perovskia, Rudbeckia, or ornamental grasses. The warm flower tones harmonize with purple Allium 'Globemaster', blue Nepeta 'Walker's Low', or chartreuse Euphorbia.

A true garden showstopper—'Tropical Dream' turns early summer into a tropical spectacle, no passport required.