Asphodelus albus

The flower spikes look attractive for months, both for their imposing shape and also because the many small white flowers, star-shaped and individually up to 4cm across, open in succession from bottom to top of the spike. Each petal is subtly marked with brown veining down the centre. Long stamens give each flower a ‘whiskered’ appearance, protruding beyond the petals and tipped with reddish-orange. Many blooms make up the flower spike which is borne on a sturdy leafless stem, usually single but sometimes branched, arising from arching clumps of long, slender, mid-green to grey-green leaves which are around 3cm wide and up to 60cm long. If the summer is favourable, rounded reddish or purplish fruits follow the flowers.

White asphodel must have a sunny site and well-drained soil that is low in fertility in order to thrive, as the fleshy roots are liable to rot in moisture-retentive soil. Once established, white asphodel is an easy-care plant that will regrow year after year and needs virtually no care apart from cutting back the dead growth once dormant. Propagate white asphodel from seed, or by division during late winter.

In Greek mythology, asphodel was associated with death and the underworld. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, asphodel was an ingredient in a potion called the Draught of Living Death.

White asphodel is not related to bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) which is a wetland plant native to Britain.