Plant profile: Cardiocrinum giganteum - the giant Himalayan lily

This week on The Horti-Culturalists we were lucky enough to be invited to a magnificent Mount Macedon garden called Marnanie to view the Cardiocrinum giganteum, or giant Himalayan lilies, in bloom! And what a sight they are! Towering over us with a magnificent perfume there are very few places in Australia to see these incredible bulbs in bloom. So in this video we'll look at all thing giant Himalayan lily; how and where to grow them, light, water and soil preferences, and look at their life cycle and optimum propagation strategy.
Many thanks to the owners of this wonderful property, Charlotte & Geordie, for allowing us free range for a day and if you want to see more of the house and garden you could follow Charlotte on Instagram at: / charlottecoote . And if you're in the area owner Geordie Taylor runs the wonderful Riddles Creek Nursery near by: riddellscreeknursery.com.au/

[@brocktoon8]

I'm digging Matthew's "French peasant" ensemble :D

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-ub2mu6iz5y]

And I envy Stephen his shirt. I just love the colours. They both look great.

[@axellycan5070]

I love learning about offhand facts about plants like how they get used to make musical instruments, etc. as they are such enticing bursts of fascination.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

I’m exactly the same! The trivia about a plant fascinates me too. Regards Stephen

[@user-yp6tm4lb1y]

Of course we want one. Thank you Stephen.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Don’t we all. Stephen

[@gregralph5168]

If you drive around Hokkaido in July you will see the green flowered Cardiocrinum beside the roads - glorious

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Sounds wonderful! Thanks for watching!

[@williamkallenbach7461]

Quite striking plants ! Thanks !!!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@solangeunzurrunzaga3816]

wonderful video on this epic plant, thank you!!!! looking forward to your new 2024 content!!!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

More to come! Regards Stephen

[@ilnpa2722]

Hello from Pennsylvania U.S. I always look forward to your videos. It’s always so much fun to learn about the flora from the opposite side of the earth. It also helps me through the bleak days of winter when I see your weather is warming up. Thanks so much for the hard work in making these videos.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thank you very much for watching!

[@dewdan11dnd46]

🫶What a spectacular video. 👍The cardiocrinum giganteum, are such gorgeous and huge, plants 🌱 💞

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Aren't they! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelbarrett607]

Thanks for a brilliant segment! One of my favourite plants .

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeanneclark99]

I love the swing! And the flowers are amazing. Thanks!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@hellenbach4967]

I love your videos and seeing things I can't grow here in Canada!

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching!

[@kerryharvey6365]

Stunning plant! So much wonderful information as always. I can't hate on Alstroemeria -- I literally have three vases full in the house right now (red and white ones for Xmas). They are such a long-lasting cut flower. It's good to let them have an area and just let them have at it.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

As long as it isn’t your whole garden as it is in one or two properties in my area! Regards Stephen

[@sylviahardy4568]

Thank you guys 😊 Definitely giving those a go. They're available in the UK, although I don't know if I'll get such grand results. Currently sat inside waiting for a winter storm to pass, and feeling a little bit envious of your current season 😉

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Thanks for watching and good luck with yours!

[@patriciahosking6552]

I have them growing and flowering in Rotorua NZ and it seems to be seeding about and clumping up well. It is considered a pest here because it invades woodland and bush areas where there are open spaces, forms a thick cover over the ground, and is shade tolerant.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Almost any plant can be a weed if the conditions are completely to its liking. At least it is a stunning one. Regards Stephen

[@Kay-qt2id]

Lucky you, I have oxalis as a weed 😂

[@user-ub2mu6iz5y]

And lucky you, I have many, especially after bushfire a few years back. Plants are going crazy when they haven't before.@@Kay-qt2id

[@user-ub2mu6iz5y]

Another very enjoyable and absorbing video. Thanks, men. 👍 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Glad you enjoyed it. Regards Stephen

[@galecunningham1250]

You look so summery and it makes me miss my southern California home. I've been displaced to the Pacific Northwest, a very beautiful region, but I miss my tropical flowers, so your wonderful lily, created I am sure, for tall people, makes me long for my true home. It's raining here, but mostly it drizzles, nothing like the torrential blasts of socal. Question: Will this lily grow in a large pot? I am in USDA Zone 8. My narcissus have broken through and are showing off their greenery. So maybe I can grow this lily?

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Well.....I think we discuss the cultivation in a pot question; who knows! Lets see if Matthew's pot specimen flourishes!

[@galecunningham1250]

Yes, I was interrupted and missed your pot remarks so have gone back to watch🤩. Thanks so much!

[@kazoz3520]

A sensible plant - sturdy flower stalk. I'm wondering if it needs set low temperature hours (chill hours) to flower? I live in the subtropics far NE NSW, but get light frosts. Thought it 'might' do ok in summer under subtropical pear trees, sheltered & with dapple light (as hydrangeas do fine), but will the winters be cold enough? I have a lilium 'Silk Road' (oriental x trumpet) that decided to grow over 2.4m high (over 8 feet), higher than the trellis & climbing roses behind it, therefore outgrew any support for the top- heavy blooms (10). Snapped at 2m, after a night of rain.

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Could be worth a try but my gut feeling is that it won't like it. Regards Stephen

[@Kay-qt2id]

Great Christmas video, I tried one in Melbourne but unsuccessful, too dry? Not enough sun? Snails? Who knows. I might stick to real Lilies

[@thehorti-culturalists]

Never stop at one! Regards Stephen

[@svetlanasgardenhomeofredwa4342]

Great video! I am growing one of the smaller cardiocrinum in oregon, usa, and slugs love them here too! I wonder if we can do anything to encourage more bulb offsets. What do you think?

[@thehorti-culturalists]

I don't think you can make them do other than what they want to! Regards Stephen