Crinum Lily

There are many crinums to pick for summertime color and strong foliage.

From our delicate white native swamp lilies, to the deep reds, soft pinks and other gorgeous colors available in various hybrid cultivars and heirlooms, if you’ve got a shady spot that’s still pretty bright, Crinums might be a good choice for your garden.

As with most bulbs, these perennials are dormant in the winter, with new leaves and flowers emerging each spring.

Crinums prefer moist, rich soil, high in organic matter, so it’s good to add a little compost as mulch each season, or when you divide the plants every few years. As with most bulbs, crinums rot if they stay too wet, so be careful that your rich, organic soil isn’t holding too much water.

Actually, these are very drought tough plants that have been around for years, so if you don’t want often, they will be fine.

Crinums perform best in areas of very bright, filtered shade, or with morning sun only. The harsh afternoon rays can fry them.

Very popular in heirloom southern gardens, Crinum lilies are some of the toughest plants around, making them a great choice for busy gardeners without much time to pamper their plants. They look and perform best when crowded, so plant them in small masses, tucked into small corners of shady beds.

You can also divide them to move to other spots or share with friends.