Angel of Death

If I were a poet, I'd write an ode to Cardiocrinum giganteum (Giant Himalayan Lily). It took my breath away this year. I nicknamed it "Angel of Death" (thanks to Amanda for the idea) because of its location in the devil garden, angelic white blooms towering on high, and also because it dies after a multi-year march to flowering. Since I'm not a poet, I'm just offering some basic documentation here. I planted this bulb in 2013, it was part of the initial devil garden planting. It must have been several years old already.

March 22nd of this year, newly sprouting again, already with gorgeous leaves.

 By April 8th, the developing stalk made it obvious this would be the flowering year.

April 27th, growing rapidly toward the sky. (That's a 5.5 foot fence.)

 

June 1st, passed the 8 foot mark, with buds starting to develop.

 

 Flowers opened for about a week mid-June.

 

The remaining stalk today. It will darken and the seed pods will grow larger over the summer. I'm happy to leave this sentinel in place until it topples, sometime in winter? This is an awesome plant...I am in awe.