I doubt that even most native plant enthusiasts have grown the amazing spring-run spider lily. Hymenocallis rotata hails from only a few counties in north to central Florida, yet has thrived in our garden. The narrow leaves emerge alongside the 18″ tall flower stalk in mid July, which terminates in 2-4, pure white, large, nocturnally fragrant flowers, with dramatically serrate floral cups. Although native in freshwater streams, we have found it to grow quite well in moist garden soils, where it forms nice stoloniferous colonies. If you don’t have such a site, a large tub of mud works just as well. We have found that it performs well in full to half day sun. The first image is just after the flowers opened in late afternoon, and the second image show the flowers fully open on day two. Each flower typically last 2-3 days.
“Nocturnally fragrant” sounds like a good plant for a moon garden. But where I’m planning mine is dry, so it will have to be in the pot of mud. Which reminds me of Henry Mitchell & his water lilies and Japanese iris.
Stunning! Can I buy one from you?
We don’t have enough to share yet.
We don’t have enough to sell yet
Were those lilies from my father’s nursery? Victor W. Lambou. He had a large collection of them.
Yes, these were from you dad’s collection.
most hymenocallis /ismene flowers in july/august time period. Hymenocallis liriosme apparently blooms in spring? any other common easy to grow hymenocallis that blooms in spring? thanks
The first to flower for us is H. liriosme in April, followed by H. harrisiana in May, then H. durangoensis, then H. duvalensis and H. pimana in June, and the show continues through the summer.
This is lovely! Once you have built up enough stock of this to sell, I have the perfect moist spot for it!