Delighting the heart with fragrant and attractive lilies
RECENTLY, I was very attracted to a pot of blooming crinum lilies. The sight of the longawaited lilies with snow-white petals holding up four dancing stamens in the centre of each flower was a delight. Once I got closer to pot, the lilies further delighted with a sweet and fragrant perfume. Background Crinum lily is also known as spider lily. This is a fast growing large perennial that is very popular and would have to be one of the most striking of lilies. It can grow happily in our climate because crinum is actually a tropical plant. Crinum lily is mostly grown as a border plant for landscaping purposes because of its nature of being very easy to maintain. These gorgeous lilies now occur naturally all over the world.
They come from the Amaryllidaceous family, which has over 800 species comprising members such as amaryllis, daffodils, snowdrops, rain lilies, Aztec lilies, blood lilies, and the rare blue amaryllis. Crinum is a genus of about 180 species of perennial plants with showy flowers on leafless stems that develop from bulbs.
What I have grown is a white species. Remember we have hybrids that produce even more beautiful colourful flowers. Crinum lily cultivars have thrived for hundreds of years because this species is very adaptable to both dry and boggy soils. These are tough and low maintenance bulbs that are perfect after the rain as they will bloom more when provided with more water. Specific features Crinum lily is shaped like a tube that opens at the top to a display of narrow arching petals that are mostly white, pinkish red, stripped, or multicoloured. The appearance is similar to the look of a spider.
The crinum lily has dark green leaves that form a dense cluster. Some varieties have a fragrant perfume. Some varieties are large growing, with tall clumps that are several feet wide. The leaves can be as long as two feet and the underground bulbs are large too. These are used for new plantings. Planting techniques As mentioned, crinums grow well in either dry or boggy soils. These are tough, low maintenance bulbs that are ideal for areas that receive plenty of rain. Crinum lilies are truly classic sun-loving perennial bulbs. In temperate regions, these are planted alongside agaves, dahlia, and ornamental grasses.
Crinum lily requires a lot of heat though occasional shade is also acceptable. Plant it along a border, in beds with other flowers, and in containers for displays on a deck or patio. They are useful for landscaping and are drought tolerant. The flowers are also a good resource for cut flowers for arrangements.
Remember for container planting, do not choose large pots to house the bulbs. Instead select a container that is just enough for the bulb to survive. The secret of successful flowering actually lies with crowding the bulbs in a small area. The plants would then bloom more willingly than those in a large container pot. This is because plants in large pots would be too busy growing new plantlets or forming foliage, hence fewer flower bulbs would appear. It is not just a matter of adding more fertiliser and giving better maintenance.
To plant the bulbs, dig holes around six inches deep to insert the bulbs. Next, cover with soil, making sure the tips of the bulbs are facing upwards and the flat bottoms are down.
The bulbs tend to intertwine into clumps over time so an entire clump can range from a few kilograms to tens of kilograms in weight. Some of them do not make real bulbs but are like a banana forming a trunk of leaves.
Finally, do take note of the soil medium used for planting the bulbs in pots. Ideally you should choose porous soil with good drainage qualities. Crinum likes to grow in a humus-rich moist soil that is well-drained. Do not overstuff the bulbs or medium in the pots but rather allow new offspring to fill up the edges of the pot.
For maintenance work, you will need to fertilise the plants around three times a year. The leaf stalks should be cut off once they have wilted. In cold climates, the bulbs are dug up and stored in cool places for years.
How about giving crinum lily a try? Do send me an email if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.
Happy gardening.