My favorite plant in the garden this week

This week's favorite plant is Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy'.

This South African bulb has striking maroon-tinged leaves that slowly green up as the plant sprouts deep burgundy flower stalks surrounded by pink to purple florets in summer.

I have three plants blooming in two different parts of the garden this year. My two plants in the front garden were moved early this spring and have responded amazingly well after being unceremoniously uprooted and replanted.

The remaining plant in the back garden has been a little slower to bloom this year, but is looking just as good.

This is my third summer growing 'Sparkling Burgundy', and the first year I've had more than one bloom on the same plant. Since these two were the earliest blooms, they're now showing the characteristic leafy topknot that gives Eucomis its common name: Pineapple Lily.

The stats on Eucomis comosa 'Sparkling Burgundy':

• Zone: 6b - 9b
• Deciduous bulb
• Exposure: Full sun
• Soil: Rich, well-drained, sandy/gritty
• Water: even moisture (I water mine very little, except to re-establish after moving.)
• Size: 1-3'

I bought my bulbs from Rare Plant Research at a Spring Hardy Plant Society sale, but they are widely available from specialty nurseries (see Plant Lust's listings here.)

"Favorite Plant" posts are corralled weekly at the danger garden blog. Check the comments section for links to what's floating the boats of other garden bloggers this week!