Affodill is an easy-care perennial with impressive flowers and a long lifespan. The Asphodelus makes few demands on the location.
With its white flowers and long, green leaves, the Asphodel (Asphodelus) is recognizable at first glance. The perennial, known throughout Europe, grows in various locations and does well in southern Europe as well as in southern France and Switzerland. The perennial is even native to Hungary and prefers to grow in forest clearings and meadows that are particularly sunny. Furthermore, the Asphodel adapts excellently to the different climatic characteristics and can therefore be planted without any major concerns, both on the coast and in the high mountains.
The long lifespan of the perennial is remarkable. Under ideal conditions, it can be kept in the garden for up to ten years, making it a long-term enrichment for your beds and borders. For a long lifespan, the Asphodel primarily needs a sunny location with loamy or sandy soil.
| Asphodel (Asphodelus) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | curved, erect peduncles, clumpy |
| Growth: | 30 - 100 cm |
| Growth: | 40 - 60 cm |
| Planting distance: | 40 to 60 cm |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | dry, loamy sandy, stony |
Asphodel Flower
In addition to the rosette-shaped leaf arrangement, the flowers are one of the most striking features of the Asphodel. They are arranged in grapes on the stem and are white in colour. The comparatively thin median nerve with brown coloring is striking. The flowers reach a considerable size of more than 10 centimeters and are therefore an enrichment for every garden.
In addition to the flowers, the asphodel is also known for its stamens. The leaves grow long and are white in color, so the orange flower pollen really comes into its own here. The blossoming period of the Asphodel starts in May and lasts until about June. After that, the perennial produces fruits, which are rather inconspicuous. The asphodel develops in the gardenparticularly good in smaller groups, although it must be considered here that the plants need a lot of space due to the rosette-shaped leaf arrangement. Under good conditions, they develop a width of 40 to a maximum of 60 centimetres.
Care for Asphodel
The asphodel is an easy-care perennial that makes few demands. So it is not necessary to supply the plant with additional nutrients or water. It also withstands longer drying periods without any problems. The typical work for the hobby gardener is the shortening of the faded stems. These are cut off up to the leaf rosette. Care must be taken when cutting to avoid damaging the leaf.
If the flowers are not cut off, capsule fruits will develop. These have a spherical shape, but are hardly noticeable. The asphodel can easily stay outside in winter. Here, however, it is important to ensure that the perennial is not exposed to waterlogging, otherwise the roots are quickly affected by rot. A permeable soil is ideal. When the first frost sets in, the asphodel will begin to retreat.
In order for the asphodel to survive for a long time, the roots should be protected from extreme cold when they are young. This works very well with brushwood and fir branches.
Plant asphodel correctly - pay attention to it
Even if the asphodel is an easy-care plant that develops very well under a wide variety of conditions, there are a few special features to consider when using it in the garden. So the asphodel is wonderfully suited as a solitary plant. The play of colors between blossoms and leaves is particularly effective against a dark background. It can be used as a solitary plant in open spaces and in beds, but is also ideal in the rock garden.
The asphodel can be combined in many ways. It unfolds perfectly with sage and thyme. It can also be planted together with rosemary and lavender. If several specimens are planted in one location, it is important to ensure a distance of 40 to 60 cm so that the individual perennials can develop well.
The asphodel sheds its leaves in autumn. The leaves are pointed and smooth. The perennial does not develop any particular coloring in the autumn months.
Asphodel use
Parts of the Asphodel are still used in various areas today. For example, the root has proven itself for use in adhesives. It is also used in some countries for ethanol production. SpecialThe perennial enjoys a lot of attention in Corsica. For centuries, the flowers have been cut off together with the stems before All Saints' Day and dipped in olive oil. They are then placed around the graves of the deceased and set on fire.