Both plants have brilliant red/purple foliage and light purple blooms. Sparkling Burgundy was discovered at Plant Delights Nursery in North Carolina (South Carolina?), and, I believe, was the first purple eucomis, so it's probably better known. Oakhurst was discovered in a San Diego, California nursery. I suspect there may be a slight difference in their size, with SB being a few inches taller, but I have not seen Oakhurst. I have seen Sparkling Burgundy at the Atlanta botanical garden. It is a very dramatic plant, in bloom or out of bloom. I have not grown it, but it's on my list for "eventually". I have three varieties of eucomis and have found them to be very easy to grow here. It would be easier to answer your questions if you will include your state and climate zone in the future. :)

Hi. This is kind of an old thread, so maybe someone has some additional tips by now. I live in Zone 5 and have had a Eucomis Oakhurst for 4years. The first year I bought it, when I brought it in for the winter it bloomed around Christmas and lasted for a month or more. Although I've gotten new bulbs from it, none of them have bloomed. The second year, I think I just left the bulbs in the dirt and kept the foliage clipped back (they get very wilty and sad looking). Last year, I took the bulbs out of the dirt and kept them wrapped up in the dark for the winter and repotted in the spring. Still no blooms this past year. So I'm trying to decide if I should do anything different with it this winter. Any thoughts on what I might do to get it to bloom again?! Although the foliage gets a pretty purple during the spring/summer, I sure would love to get another of those awesome blooms! I have had to experiment with locations for it during the growing season because of our unpredictable Colorado climate and sun intensity, It seems to do best overall on the north side of our house in semi-shaded exposure. If I put it where it gets more direct sun during the summer, the heat is just way too much for it - the leaves wilt badly, especially with our sudden winds. It revives, but it does put the plant in a lot of stress. The spot where I've settled on for it is a bit more protected from both. But perhaps it's just not enough sun for it to bloom. If I can't get it to bloom, I may give up on growing it here. :( Here's the thread I had on the Rocky Mountain Garden Forum the first year it bloomed: Eucomis Oakhurst Thanks for any advice!!

Disclaimer: I have not grown these from seed. Since you started them in the spring, I would think their normal tendancy would be to go dormant for the winter. So I will refer you to the information I have found in the Royal Horticultural Society Manual of Bulbs: Minimum temp. of 4-10C when dormant. Minimum of 10C when in growth. Water sparingly when dormant, plentifully when in growth. Humidity is not mentioned. They are tropical South African natives. They may bloom in 2-5 years from seed. Perhaps you can put some of them to bed for the winter and maybe keep one or two pots under lights for the winter to see which works better. You might also check in with the South African Native Plant forum here.

Well this year not so much of a problem - with temps already approaching 20 (celcius) I brought 'em up to the enclosed porch early and the leaves - about 15 cm tall - are purple-ing up nicely.