Cardiocrinum is a small genus in the Liliaceae family whose members are distributed from northern India to Japan. Three species are in cultivation. Cardiocrinum giganteum has been well established in cultivation in England for well over a century. Given the rarity of these plants in eastern North American gardens, it's hard to believe, but Peter Hanson grew C. giganteum in Brooklyn, New York, USA during the second half of the nineteenth century. Although originally introduced long ago, C. cordatum and C. cathayanum have only recently become readily available.
Generations of writers have repeated the incorrect notion that these plants are monocarpic. They are not monocarpic. Yes, the flowering stems die after seed set; in fact, they die whether seed is set or not. But so do the fruiting stems of tulips, lilies, fritillaries and a host of other similar plants. The perennial stem (i.e. the basal plate) and its offset bulbs live on from year to year.
A relaxed approach used by Stephen J. Vinisky to germinating seeds is to sow them in a 5 1/2 inch "azalea" pot. He uses a 1/3 grit mixture. The pot size holds about 18 seeds comfortably. After sowing on the surface of the firmed mix, top the seeds with 1/4" of chicken grit. The pots go outside (under the eaves of the house in a shady, eastern exposure to keep off the majority of our almost continuous rain) and are subject to whatever the winter weather provides. In late spring, the seeds put up one very tiny leaf that attracts every slug and snail for miles around. Sluggo is a less toxic way to effectively keep slugs away.
A more active approach is to sow seeds in good potting mix, water and place in a plastic bag at 55-65F (13-18C) for 2-3 weeks. Then place in the fridge to stratify for 4-6 weeks and return to germination temperature. Remove from the plastic bag and keep the mix moist. Germination can be very slow.
Transplant seedlings when they're large enough to handle. Both seedlings and adults should be grown in part sun with plenty of moist and organic rich soils (much like conditions for growing hostas). A little fertilizer is recommended during the growing season.
Cardiocrinum cordatum -- The two photos below show two phases in the life of the species photographed in the garden of Jim McKenney. The plant shown first bloomed in July, 2000, and is now about to bloom again in 2004. The first photo shows the foliage as it appears in early spring. Freezes are still common when this foliage starts to grow, but so far cold damage has not been observed here. Plants not vigorous enough to bloom remain at this stage all season. At this stage they resemble skunk cabbage:
The second photo shows the plant with its two stems about a month later. At this time, the annual stems have elongated, raising the whorl of foliage well above the ground. This is the "hosta on a stick" phase. The plants remain like this for weeks, seemingly inactive. But if you look carefully at the center of the leaf whorl, you will see the slowly differentiating inflorescence. The inflorescence may eventually extend upward another two or three feet. Here is the "hosta on a stick" phase:
Here are three photos of the same plant blooming on July 25, 2004. Now that the plant is in bloom and getting attention, its identity has come into question. This plant seems to answer to Cardiocrinum cordatum var. glehnii although the Kew Monocots checklist does not recognize this variety. The first photo shows a fully developed bud, the next photo shows the interior or the flower, and the third photo shows two blooming stems. Photo four is by Mari Kitama of var. glehnii in Japan.
Cardiocrinum giganteum is native to the Himalayas east to Myanmar (Burma) and China. Photos 1-2 were taken by Jane McGary in northwestern Oregon of plants originating from a Chadwell collection in the early 1990s. Planted in rich humus soil and well fertilized, the original bulbs have produced a series of offsets with flowers most years, beginning 5 years after sowing. This species is intolerant of hot, sunny exposures, where the foliage is liable to burn. Photos 3-4 taken by Nhu Nguyen at the UC Botanical Garden show the seed pods and seeds of this species.
Growing in New Jersey for three years. Each year the size and number of leaves increases and soon a flower. Has some offsets that have sent up a single leaf this year. This plant has produced a stalk. The following images taken by Arnold Trachtenberg will show periodic changes.
Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense is native to Yunnan province of China and northwestern Myanmar (Burma). The photos below were taken by Nhu Nguyen at the UC Botanical Garden.
Major reference works covering Cardiocrinum include