Gymea lily

Doryanthes excelsa

Massive NSW endemic perennial with rosettes of sword-shaped leaves 2 m long and dramatic 4–6 m flowering stems carrying enormous heads of deep red trumpet flowers.

Hardiness ratings

Gymea lily hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 9–11 −6.7 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H3 −5 °C to 1 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 9 −1 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 4–6 0 °C to 15 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Endemic to coastal NSW — natural to sandstone country around Sydney
  • Flowering stem reaches 6 m, eventually flowers after 8–15 years of foliage growth — among the most dramatic native flowers in cultivation
  • Drought tolerant once established, prefers sandy well-drained soil
  • Major honeyeater nectar source when flowering

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Gymea lily against your zones

Reference

Gymea lily on Wikipedia