Texas Gardening: A year of Rain lilies, 1 by dmj1218

dmj1218 wrote:
Princess-
I fertilize. I think they respond to that well--I'm organic. I foliar feed and use granular suppliments in the growing medium of the ones in pots. (Foliar feed the ones in the ground). Also water when it doesn't rain. A few of the Texas natives don't like as much water.

I can't get the color on this one no matter what I do--reminds me of some of my uncooperative students--lol
It's really a pale pink with a white strip up the petals lengthwise. We shall have to hope it opens on a Day when I'm off work and can take the pic early in the morning.

Cooperia morrisclintii or Zephyranthes morrisclintii
'Redneck Romance Strain'

This species was first identified by Thad Howard in 2001 and is native to northeastern Mexico. This is a particularly interesting Cooperia species because the 12” light pink cup-shaped flowers open in two stages. It first cracks nocturnally and then does not completely unfurl into its crocus-like form until the following afternoon. This two stage blooming process suggests that this species might possibly be a natural hybrid of Zephyranthes drummondii and Zephyranthes lindleyana. It is often one of the earliest blooming rain lilies in my garden beginning in March and continuing into May; and only occasionally flowering after that. It has long, broad, flat linear leaves and with only a faint fragrance. Recommended for growing in zones 8-10. And is a poor photographic subject today!