Oxblood lilies rise again
To the tune of the Thin Lizzy song, let’s sing: The bulbs are back in town! Which bulbs? Those velvety red heralds of fall—oxblood lilies, also known as schoolhouse lilies (Rhodophiala bifida), a name that’s particularly apt this year since school just started.
These bulbs have a way of sneaking up on you, seemingly popping up overnight and unfurling their blazing trumpets, just waiting for you to notice.
Such excitement to see one appear. Then it’s, Oh look—more!
They’re blooming early this year, promising that fall will come soon, even though it’s still close to 100 degrees every day for now. If you want to know more about these beauties, just visit the blog of the undisputed oxblood lily queen, MSS of Zanthan Gardens.
It was a red day yesterday evening when I took these pictures, or at least that was the color that jumped out at me. The westering sun shone through the stripey ‘Tropicanna’ canna leaves…
…and intensified the red-orange hue of flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii), one of my favorite hummingbird attractors and a native Texas plant.
Somehow, despite the late summer heat, the plants are signaling that fall is on the way. It must be the shorter days. Hallelujah!
All material © 2006-2012 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Red is always a good color to me. So cheerful. Love these shorter days. Isaac is to push some rain up here too. Looking forward to that this weekend.
I hope you get some rain, Lisa. I know you need it! —Pam
Isn’t it funny how, in spite of the heat, there are already those signals that fall is on it’s way. I definitely have noticed the quality of the light is different, less harsh…more diffuse. Dawn and dusk are suffused with different colors now…rose and amber, not just bright white…it’s magical in the garden…but so fleetingly hard to capture on camera! I’m SO eager for fall…but don’t tell my fellow Portlanders, I think they’ll banish me 😉
Ha—I bet so, Scott. You Portlanders seem to be summer-lovers up there (and no wonder), but fall is a beautiful season everywhere. —Pam
Every year the Georgetown folks wait to see whose ‘Chilly Lillies’ will bloom first and it makes the local paper. Thanks for the pictures – I have never seen one.
I haven’t heard them called that before, Gretchen. Cute name—what’s the origin, I wonder? —Pam
I wonder if those oxblood lilies will grow here…worth a try…RED…YES!
I love red too! All I know about them is that they are native to South America, and they are very adaptable to Austin’s long summer and heat. You can usually find them at Old House Gardens and Southern Bulb Co. (though I don’t see a listing for them at SBC right now). —Pam
Love the bold red! Just checked and it is hardy zones 7,8,9. 🙂 May have to think about putting some in sometime.
It’ll be interesting to find out just how adaptable they are, Janet. I know that David of The Desert Edge in Albuquerque just planted some in his desert garden. You should definitely try them in your South Carolina garden. —Pam
They are listed at Brent and Becky’s Bulbs.
Thanks for the heads-up. —Pam
Wow…that is early. I wonder if it means the extra rains you have had, now heat, are accelerating plant growth for fall?
I’m wondering too, David. We haven’t had any rain lately, but of course this has been a much rainier and milder year than last, so maybe they’re making up for their poor showing last year. —Pam
The Cannas with the red Lilies must be a sight to see! Stunning! We’re still in the deep heat here in Wisconsin, too, believe it or not. Highs in the 90s and 80s for the next few days. Fall is on the way, but it’s definitely a transition time. Your garden must be gorgeous about now.
Well, August is kind of a slow month in the Texas garden, especially as we still have highs in the low 100s and upper 90s, with nighttime temps barely below 80. But fall will arrive in early to mid-October, and then the garden will get a second season of growth and bloom. Can’t wait! I hope you get a break from the heat soon too, PP. —Pam
Those red lilies are stunning!