Eucomis

The exotic looking South African pineapple lily can add some razzmatazz to the late summer and autumn borders. The normally strap-shaped leaves, are green through to dark purple. Starry flowers erupt from the centre of this foliage, creamy white to pink, topped with a tuft of leafy bracts, reminiscent of a pineapple. They are hardy, but its worth plant 15cm deep, or growing in a deep pot, to protect against colder winters. Unusually they can be propagated by leaf cuttings.