Are orchids too expensive and time consuming for you? Do daylilies and irises take too much space? The rain lily is an answer for limited time and space. The rain lily is a wild flower, and hundreds of thousands have been reported blooming between Luling and Goliad in late April. The delicate flowers of these carefree bulbs astonish and delight when they appear after rain showers. Even when neglected all summer, these tenacious bulbs come to life and produce a splendid array of colorful flowers. Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, after every rain shower, rain lily bulbs produce scores of delicate, crocus-like flowers on 8" to 10" stems.
The cultivated varieties have been grown successfully in East Texas. As a rule, they are quite easy to cultivate, fast to naturalize, and drought tolerant, and will grow in any well-drained soil. Rain lilies may be grown in containers or as an edging plant in flower beds or along the garden path. Between blooming times, the grass-like foliage is pleasing in the garden. Bulbs are available in white, yellow, and various shades of pink. Different varieties come into bloom from April into November, and with a collection of spring- and fall-blooming bulbs, you can have color in your garden eight months of the year.
Frieda Colfelt, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
One Tuesday morning in the fall, as I was weeding in the Heritage Rose Garden at the Tyler Rose Garden, I came upon a lovely sight. There, blooming all alone, were rain lilies. All the other bulbs had gone dormant, but these sweet things were blooming. Just as we search longingly for the first crocus in spring, I will be looking for rain lilies in the fall.
These are little amaryllids, and as they bloom, the color deepens. These jewels are easy to grow and can tolerate clay, sand, or bog. They are available at the Master Gardeners' Fall Bulb Sale and at some local nurseries. The Zephyranthes grandiflora (lavish pink) reigns supreme for size, texture, and deep color. I am on the hunt for one or more of these.
The Zephyranthes citrina will begin flowering in early spring, but its best showing is in the fall. This rain lily makes a lot of seed, which may be planted right away or left to fall and naturalize. They grow in pots if scattered thickly and lightly covered with sandy compost. Happy gardening.
Mary McGee, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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