Eucomis comosa 'Oakhurst'

Eucomis comosa 'Oakhurst' is a selected purple-leaved form of the large-leaved type species which is endemic to the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. Eucomis ‘Oakhurst’ was introduced by Terra Nova Nurseries. It was selected as one of 16 winners of the 2009 North Texas Winner's Circle Award.

Is this purple-leaved form different from Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy' which was selected as a seedling in 1983 by Tony Avent's Plant Delights Nursery? Hmmm...that's an interesting question...

We have grown 'Oakhurst' and 'Sparkling Burgundy' side by side for several years now to compare the differences...for the clones we have, we don't find much difference in the foliage...both starting purple and slowly fading to green as the summer progresses...but as the flowers open it is clear that 'Oakhurst' is paler, more greenish on the petals with 'Sparkling Burgundy having more of a mauve flush to the flowers...and with darker purple stems....

Some people have found that 'Oakhurst' keeps its purple colouration longer and that 'Oakhurst' doesn't grow as tall. We have not found this to be the case: 'Oakhurst' is certainly capable of growing as large as 'Sparkling Burgundy' if given the space and the foliage on both our cultivars tend to be more green than purple by mid-July.

So, with the clones we have, the main difference is in the flowers: slightly greener with 'Oakhurst'...slightly more mauve with 'Sparkling Burgundy'...

The story goes that the plant from which 'Oakhurst' was cloned was discovered growing in a San Diego nursery...

Whatever its origins, the form that we sell does have the slight differences we mention. Both cultivars are worth growing. The dramatic impact their colour and large size have in the garden is extraordinary.