It’s a crinum!
Back in the 90s, a friend who was quite a scavenger had rescued plants from an old yard. I don’t know what the plans were for the yard, but the old bulbs and shrubs had to go.
She also ended up with a huge bulb mass that she carted around to various nurseries, trying to find out what it was. This was back before most people had access to the internet, but one place did say they thought it was in the amaryllis famil.
When she split it up, she gave some to us, though we weren’t sure what we would get out of it.
We got crinums.
Crinums are a southern classic and a favorite passalong plant, according to The Southern Living Garden Book. Seldom seen in newer housing areas, they are now found in old home site, country gardens and in cemeteries. Needing little care, “they tolerate adversity so well that some say no crinum has ever died.”
Old bulbs may weigh as much as 40 pounds. They should be divided infrequently as, once disturbed, they may not bloom the first year after planting.
I don’t think you’ll be able to find these at many home supply centers or garden centers.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful! I wish I could grow me some up here! I’ve never seen them before – they look like a cross between an Asian Lily – daffodil – amaryllis. Awesome!
.-= Betsy Wuebker´s last blog ..ON BOB AND MARY’S 80TH BIRTHDAY IN GALENA =-.
a crinum? really. but the picture up top is a type of lily right. i’m only asking because i’ve been photographing pictures of flowers, not knowing their proper name, and have been calling them lillies.
a crinum isn’t a lily? if you get a chance, stop by my flickr page and view my flowers. flickr.com / ntrlmwn
.-= Natural´s last blog ..Why Wait, Buy Now! =-.
I assume these were some of the heirloom plants you got from Roz that one time?
I don’t remember these. They are gorgeous. Which flowerbed are they growing in?
I love again in the photo how you have a contrasting black background with the white flowers.
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..The Big Stack! =-.
I got the story a little bit wrong so I corrected it this morning.
Betsy – It is a species in the amaryllis family, crinum bulbispermum as best as I can figure by doing a google image search.
Natural – While it does look like some lilies, it’s in a different plant family. I took a look at some of your pictures. Very nice. Cute kid, too.
Mel – That’s who we got them from, but I got the story wrong and have corrected the post. We got them from Roz a different time. They were in the circular flower bed, but your mom busted the bulb mass up a while back. When disturbed, they don’t bloom well (or at all) for a couple of years. They are really doing well and are now also in the bed around the swing.
Well, they are really beautiful!
Happy Dad’s Day!
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..The Big Stack! =-.
Thanks, Mel!
Hi Mike,
I would have thought it was a lily. What I can’t believe is how heavy the bulb gets. That’s simply amazing.
Thank you for sharing this great lesson in how sometimes things aren’t as they seem.
BTW: The flowers are gorgeous.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Do “They” Have The Right To Know =-.
Barbara,
You’re welcome.
It is pretty amazing.
I think this year is the best year we’ve had for them.
Very pretty! This reminds me of the time someone asked our condo boarad, “Why is it that you dig up the daylilies, which grow with no care, and try to introduce plants that aren’t native to this area and require a lot of care?” The meeting moved quickly on with no response to his question.
.-= Dot´s last blog ..Comment on Life and Mad Lib-eration Answers by Ribbon =-.
Dot,
Thanks.
We’re trying to go with a majority of plants that require little care, since we plan to be gone during times when plants might need more care — such as the hottest months of the year.