Rain lilies abloom high and low
No rain for a month, but my rain lilies (Zephryanthes ‘Labuffarosea’) have decided enough is enough, and they’re blooming anyway.
After weeks of hunkering down inside with the A/C, I spent the last two days outdoors, in 100-degree heat, cutting back tired or overgrown perennials, trimming plants away from sprinkler heads, pruning up bamboo and ornamental trees, and generally neatening up the garden so that when October — i.e., our second spring — arrives the garden will look its best. And, hello!, that gave me a chance to notice these beauties blooming with abandon.
I need to get outside more often.
I found them blooming in another place too. Remember when I planted up this Hover Dish last fall with Texas sedge, columbine, and rain lily bulbs? (Photo from November 2014)
Well, the sedge got toasted earlier this summer when I forgot to water for a week, and the columbine never bloomed. But the rain lilies, despite their delicate appearance, are made of sterner stuff. Just look at them go.
I’ve added divisions of an ice plant since cutting back the dead sedge, but it’s still pretty patchy. Maybe by fall it’ll catch on and show some color too.
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Same here Pam. The ones you shared are blooming also for the first time. If you can spare a few more this Saturday, would appreciate it.
Bob, I’m glad the passalong rain lilies are blooming for you. I spread them out as thin as I cared to when I divided them last time, so they’ll have to grow a bit before I divide again. —Pam
Well I’m impressed! You’ve already gone out and done most of what I plan to do once September arrives. We have significant pruning to do on overgrown rosemary plants I was concerned would up and croak if we didn’t wait a bit longer. (Or maybe I’m dragging my clippers because it is SO very hot at the moment?)
I planted rain lilies last year but in too much sun and/or where they are getting less water than they like. Something’s not happy making where they are. They’ll all be moved into shadier territory once a space is cleared. But certainly no later than the week’s end – thanks for the kick in the gardener’s pants!
I’m envious. I planted a few in my front garden but they died back completely, never producing a single bloom. Perhaps El Nino will bring them back with a flourish next year.
Amazing what with the heat and lack of rain. I need to get outside myself and neaten up the place.
You deserve a badge of courage…but I guess your reward is your fabulous garden.
Cabin fever, during the heat of summer, can only be tolerated for so long. Then, like you, I must get out and play in my gardens – no matter how high the temperatures. I will go out now and look around from my rain lilies. Thank you for sharing photos of yours. They are lovely.
Pam, nothing like having a garden tour scheduled in October to make you get out in the heat of summer! If you get out as soon as it’s light enough to see, it’s not too bad. Then, the heat just sneaks up on you!
Thanks for the idea of putting rain lilly bulbs in containers. They are such a fun surprise since they bloom “whenever” and will be a fun addition to my pots. Stay cool!
We had some rain in July (very unusual) and voila, some rain lily flowers! Guess the name is correct.
100F–days of it? Whew! Keep the AC in good repair…
Your headline pulled me in–and I’m glad! Those Rain Lilies are lovely. That hover dish arrangement is wonderful. If you’re too hot in Austin, you can always travel north. Madison is having an extended spell of perfect weather. 80s during the day, 50s/60s at night. Ahhhh….