Eucomis bicolor is a South African summer bulb with a sculptural quality that sets it apart from most perennial borders. The flower spike rises 12 to 24 inches from a basal rosette of large, strappy leaves, carrying densely packed star-shaped florets that bloom from the bottom up, each one pale greenish-white edged in deep purple, the color contrast that gives the species its name. The green bracts crowning the spike complete the pineapple silhouette. Bees find the plant readily, and the long bloom season runs through summer into early fall.

Plant bulbs in spring, 4 to 6 inches deep and roughly a foot apart, in well-drained fertile soil in full sun to partial shade. Mulch generously to retain moisture and insulate the root zone. In Zone 7 the bulbs are marginal, surviving mild winters with protection; in Zone 6 and colder they should be lifted after the foliage dies back and stored in a cool, dry place until the following spring. It spreads slowly by offsets, building clumps over time that can be divided for propagation. Cut flowers last well, and the dried seedheads hold their structure into autumn.