The Crinum Lily: A Photo Series

crinum lily
Crinum noID, blooming in the garden
crinum lily

Weather Diary: Sunny; High: 97 F (36 C)/Low: 73 F (23 C); Humidity: 7%-40%

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Comments: 10
  • #1

    Kris P (Saturday, 02 June 2018 12:17)

    Very pretty! Do they need a lot of water?

  • #2

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 02 June 2018 12:53)

    Kris - They've benefitted from the fact that I had to keep the nearby annuals watered. :) They aren't terribly thirsty, but they will want more than actual desert plants in order to bloom.

  • #3

    Libby (Saturday, 02 June 2018 14:30)

    Love Crinums! They grow here fairly well, but do need just the right spot. Two of my three are flourishing and what a treat when they bloom!

  • #4

    Diana Studer (Saturday, 02 June 2018 17:33)

    Leaves just coming thru for mine now.

  • #5

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 02 June 2018 19:49)

    Libby - You must be right about needing the right spot! This one languished in a large pot for about three years and I never saw a single flower till I planted it out. They are lovely though, so I'm glad I found a spot it likes better! ;-)

  • #6

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Saturday, 02 June 2018 19:52)

    Diana - That is interesting as this one never seems to go fully dormant. Do you cut yours back at all? I tend to leave well enough alone as I always do with bulbs, but it could use a good tidy soon! No frost here to cause dieback over winter, and I'm afraid to let it get completely dry... Would appreciate advice!

  • #7

    Cathy (Sunday, 03 June 2018 08:56)

    Lovely colour, beautiful shape. Nice photos too. I haven't met this lily before. :)

  • #8

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Sunday, 03 June 2018 14:29)

    Cathy - Thank you very much! :) I've waited a long time to see it in bloom as I actually grew it for two years in a container first - no flowers till I put it in the ground! The Crinum lilies are true bulbs and members of the Amaryllis family. I don't think they're very cold hardy, but they are quite heat tolerant and grow well in the southern US. I had seen them described somewhere as drought- tolerant, so I thought I would try one - but having grown it here, I don't dare let it really dry out! ;-)

  • #9

    David C. (Thursday, 14 June 2018 22:28)

    Those crinums are attractive, and I've finally seen a healthy and well-irrigated planting here. Maybe something like that in my oasis area?

  • #10

    Amy@smallsunnygarden (Sunday, 17 June 2018 14:34)

    David C - Definitely worth a try in an oasis area. It will need the extra water to bloom, as I've found out the slow way... ;-) But it can take the heat!