ASPHODELINE lutea. King's spear. Sicily. This is a tough perennial of the lily family, most unusual in appearance. It travels slowly by underground rhizomes, eventually forming broad thickets. The shoots appear in fall, first as fountains of nearly thread--like 8--12" bluish green leaves, lengthening in spring to 2--3' and topped by wands of fragrant pale yellow, star shaped blossoms. The plants die down in summer and are perfectly drought tolerant. Sun or light shade, most soils, little or no summer watering. Hardy to 10^oF or less.