Crinum lilies are striking flowering plants that bring tropical beauty to any garden. These impressive bulbs are cherished for their dramatic blooms and robust nature, making them a popular choice for gardeners.
General Characteristics of Crinum Lilies
Crinum lilies are bulbous perennials in the Amaryllidaceae family, known for their large, globular bulbs. Long, strap-like, often evergreen foliage emerges from these bulbs, forming basal clumps. Tall, leafless flower stalks, called scapes, rise above the foliage, bearing clusters of lily-like flowers. These flowers are typically trumpet-shaped or spider-like, arranged in an umbel, and often fragrant.
Exploring Crinum Lily Varieties
Several Crinum lily varieties stand out for their beauty and garden performance.
Crinum asiaticum
Crinum asiaticum, also known as the Giant Crinum Lily or Poison Bulb, is a recognized species. This large plant grows 5-6 feet tall with broad, strap-shaped leaves and produces an umbel of large, fragrant, white, spider-like flowers, sometimes tinged with red or purple. ‘Queen Emma’, a cultivar, features purplish leaves and magenta and white blooms.
Crinum x powellii hybrids
Crinum x powellii hybrids are a popular group, known for their vigor and adaptability. They are crosses between C. bulbispermum and C. moorei. The standard Crinum x powellii produces fragrant, trumpet-shaped, light pink flowers, about 5 inches wide, blooming from late summer into fall. Its strap-shaped, bright green foliage forms a clump that grows 3-5 feet tall.
Crinum x powellii ‘Album’
Crinum x powellii ‘Album’ is a pure white form with fragrant, large, trumpet-shaped flowers, approximately 4 inches long. These blossoms emerge in succession from late summer to fall, rising above glossy, dark green, strap-shaped foliage. This variety forms clumps over time.
Crinum ‘Ellen Bosanquet’
Crinum ‘Ellen Bosanquet’ is a classic hybrid with deep rose to wine-red, trumpet-shaped flowers, each about 4 inches long. These blooms have a spicy fragrance and appear in succession from mid to late summer. The plant forms a clump of semi-erect, bright green, strap-shaped leaves, known for its vigorous growth and striking color.
Crinum ‘Mrs. James Hendry’
Crinum ‘Mrs. James Hendry’ is a hybrid known for its compact growth habit. This variety produces fragrant white flowers, often flushed with a pink-lavender blush towards the tips. Its blooms appear in large clusters on spikes up to 4 feet tall, starting in late spring and continuing sporadically into mid-October, making it one of the earliest and longest-blooming crinums.
Crinum ‘Bradley’
Crinum ‘Bradley’ is an Australian cultivar with tall flower spikes topped with dark pink flowers, often having a fluorescent pink hue and a distinct white eyezone. This hybrid has narrow, upright, dark green foliage that forms clumps, reaching about 2-3 feet tall. Its large, fragrant blooms appear starting in mid-July.
Crinum ‘Stars and Stripes’
Crinum ‘Stars and Stripes’ is a clumping variety known for its distinctive pink-and-white striped blooms. These softball-sized flowers provide a vibrant display from summer to early fall. This variety exemplifies the “milk and wine” pattern, with a dark line running down an otherwise white flower.
Factors When Choosing a Crinum Variety
Selecting a crinum lily involves considering several environmental and aesthetic factors. Climate suitability is important, as most crinum lilies thrive in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 11; some varieties tolerate zone 6 with winter protection. Gardeners in colder regions may grow crinums in containers moved indoors during winter. Available space is another consideration, as crinum lilies can form large clumps, with some varieties spreading several feet wide. Planning for their mature size ensures adequate room. Desired bloom characteristics, such as flower color (white, pink, red, or striped), fragrance intensity, and bloom size, also play a role. Considering the typical bloom season allows for continuous floral displays.
Basic Care for Crinum Lilies
Crinum lilies are low-maintenance once established. They prefer full sun (at least six hours daily) but tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. Well-draining soil is important to prevent bulb rot, though crinums adapt to various soil types if drainage is adequate. Consistent moisture is preferred during the growing season for abundant blooms. While drought-tolerant once established, regular watering promotes vigorous growth and flowering. Fertilization is not strictly necessary, but a slow-release balanced fertilizer or one high in phosphorus in mid-spring can support stronger blooms.