Crinum lilies are perennial, long-living perennials. They are a wonderful part of a forest garden.
Today, while I was working in my forest garden, I noticed something that I have never seen before. My Crinum lilies are preparing to flower, in November!
My family and I moved into our home in December 1985. The Crinum lilies were already here; I am not sure for how long. In the spring of 1986, we saw them bloom for the first time. Every year since then, these lilies could be counted on to bloom reliably around the first week of June. They would bloom just once, and then they were done until the next spring.
Last November I moved these lilies from the backyard. It took a bobcat tractor to dig them out, the bulbs were so big. The backyard is north facing to the front yard, which faces south, so the Crinums are getting more sun now. Still, I have never seen them bloom at this time of year before. Continue reading “In Season, or Out of Season?”