A year of Rain lilies

I'm into bulbs, some more than others.

One of my passions is the Cooperia's, Habranthes, and Zephyranthes species known collectively as "Rain lilies". I need to journal exactly what is blooming exactly when more precisely this year to narrow down future hybridizing efforts. I am deluged with seed every year and just finished planting what was left from last year that I did not donate to various organizations I belong to or dispose of in other obvious ways. I can do most of these from seed to bloom in 12 months or less. A few take 18 months.

I do grow everything outside in Texas, albeit the wetter part, with no greenhouse. I only pull two species inside in the winter unless they are seedlings I really need.

Some of these are common, some are very rare and difficult to obtain. I have all the Texas natives I know of, so those will be in here too. I'll just add to the thread as different species bloom.

This is the first to bloom this year. I'm more into species than hybrids but I have both. This was a surprise as the first to bloom this year.

Zephyranthes x ruthiae
This is a Thad Howard (wrote the well known book "Bulbs for Warm Climates" and did a lot of work identifying a lot of the Texas and northeastern Mexico species bulbs--he lived and worked in San Antonio) hybrid. This cross between Zephyranthes rosea and Zephyranthes citrina is a smaller, a darker pink, what we like to call a more "precise" version of Zephyranthes grandiflora. A very early bloomer this year; started blooming in mid-March (3/18) a nice deep pink color, a vigorous grower. Recommended for growing in zones 8-9; probably would do good in the "old" zone 7b too. This one looks a little 'tattered" around the edges; but hey, when you are the first of the season, you always look good to me.

This is not the best of shots on this one, but I'm sure I can get a better one and some point in the future.

Habranthus martinezii
This species is native to Argentina and Uruguay and was first identified by Revenna in 1972. It has large, solitary white (sometimes pinkish) flowers with a really nice and hard to describe brownish-purplish-reddish throat and base. It begans blooming in mid-March (3/21). It is closely related to Habranthus tubispathus but the blooms are larger. This is a very robust grower and offsets easily. Recommended for zones 8-10 probably would do well in the old zone 7b too. This one is pretty tall and a definitely larger size bloom than the last.

I've got a Cooperia morrisclintii or Zephyranthes morrisclintii 'Redneck Romance Strain' that will bloom tomorrow. There are differences between the three species and I'll elaborate on that later as I add to this thread.

If you like rain lilies enjoy. These are the first two for this year. If not, you are probably not even reading to this point anyway! =)
Debbie

Thanks for posting these...I'm interested!!! They're lovely!

Debbie, I like the first one because of the color, but the second one sounds better because it'll spread faster.

Debbie, I'm enjoying seeing these. I have never grown these and I'm just now starting to think about getting some.Are there easiest to grow varieties, or all pretty much the same? I'm interested in these because as I understand it they grow,bloom then go away pretty quickly, lending a changing quality to the garden.Just kind of a surprise each day. And they don't take up an enormous amount of space(something very important in my limited space.)PLease correct me if this is not your experience when growing them in our area.nancy

I don't know anything at all about lilies, but I'm enjoying learning! Thank you for starting this thread, Debbie. :-)

Those look nice deepsouth Debbie. How many flowers per plant do they end up getting?

Mr. Tundra

Thank you all for your very kind words! I shall answer all those questions in just a moment. I consider I only do 2 things really well, but I dabble at a lot. The other one is over here if you care to see another plant that does really well down here in Houston:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/705912/

I'm still trying to get the light good on that Zeph Red Neck Romance--bear with me on that on until the sun goes down a bit. It has really subtle colorations.

Much to my shock--this one was also starting to open when I got home. The Habranthes species open late in the afternoon to overnight and this one was being real cooperative too. It shows how quick you can go from seed to bloom with these too. This one's seed was sown in October. When I looked over at the potted bulbs (why some are in the ground and some are in pots I will have to answer in a dmail) this one caught my eye. I swear I did not see the bud scape last night--and I don't miss much this time of year. As I approached, I said to myself, "What a pitiful first bloom on whatever that is". Then I got closer. This side view shows the really nice coloration on the side of this bloom--hard to get on a photograph unless the sun is just right.

Habranthus tubispathus var. roseus
This species was first identified by Traub in 1970 and is native to Uruguay. It has coppery-pink buds which open nocturnally to a creamy white; but quickly change to pinkish, flushed deep rose on the outside. A very unusual Habranthus species! Recommended for zones 8-10; but probably would do OK in 7b too.

This message was edited Mar 27, 2007 6:24 PM

Here's a front view on this--it definitely is not open all the way yet. I had no time to "pretty-fy" things eir!

Thank You Marylyn! You will be the proud owner of some at RU.

MaryLee--the coloration and reproduction rates are quite variable, as you will notice as time goes by.

Nancy--most of them are very easy to grow, I do have a few very small species which don't compete well at all with weeds and that darned nutgrass; but most are quite easy. That H. martinezzi looked good for 4 days but Ruth Page only looked good for 2. That's somewhat variable too.

Big Al--nice to hear from you. One bulb sends up one bloom at a time; but they frequently rebloom (most of them). I should have good "en mass" shots soon; we are off to a sputtering start here. But its all good, right? So "en garde"! I need to start some zinnia's this weekend so we have something to argue about. ;)

Same bulb front view.

MaryLee--this is another Habranthus martinezii fixing to bloom tomorrow thrown on the potting bench. It shows about 3 or 4 offsets emerging from the parent bulb. Its a rapid offsetter, it did this over the summer. But Ruth Page has seeds already--and the seeds are identical to the parent, its a stablilized hybrid. Different ones do different things--but generally they all reproduce much like rabbits!

Off to try to get that other one and get a little work done prior to dark. We did not have a lot of rain last night, but we had enough. Some others (including the natives I hope) should be sputtering to life this weekend.

Thanks for indulging me all--so many threads, so little time. So I appreciate you taking the time to look at my stuff!
Debbie

No way Deb E, I bought the most expensive zinnias I could find to out do you ;)

Nice job with the rain lilies, I need snow lilies here.

Thought the tundra was in "thaw phase" right now. We shall just have to see about those zinnias; since I haven't even sown the seeds yet, we shall probably be in sync with those. ;)

I don't have snow here now don't worry. My zinnias won't be seeded until 5/15.

Debbie, do you do anything special to get the ones from seed to bloom within the year? I keep reading 2 years...

Oh, I forgot to add....I LOVE Habranthus tubispathus var. roseus! Very nice!

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!

These flowers are so dainty. I can't believe "Red Neck" is 12"!!! I like this info and would like to learn more. I started with Zephyranthes Candida"Fairy Lily" many years ago and have been able to multipy it easily. I also have the hybrid "Prairie Sunset". I had it in my garden for a few years but found the blooms washed out. Then I saw it in a friend's garden...I thought it was a different kind b/c it was a much deeper shade of pink.Do you think sun and soil conditions affect the color?
Elusive little flowers when it comes to color (and photography)

I am glad that there are spring bloomers that grow in our zone.

Sun and Heat affect bloom color wash-out banana--some varieties more so than others. I like Prairie Sun--I think that's a Howard hybrid too. I'm at work--can't check sources. I like all othem though. I agree about candida--I have a 40' edging border of it--it is much nicer than lirope or monkey grass---at least it blooms. There's your practical application of rain lilies!

I use oxblood lilies as border in some if my beds and they do very pretty too.

Yes they do Josephine--all the amaryllids are great for bordering (the small ones anyways!). =)

Which ones are Tx natives? Maybe that will narrow it down some?

Haven't got to those yet Mary Lee--when they bloom, I shall post. I figured ya'll didn't want to see pics from last year.

Ok, I'll just keep watching. It's a very good show ya know.:)

Very nice Debbie. Love the dark red throat on the habranthus martinezii, and the tubispathus var. roseus is gorgeous!
Anxiously awaiting the next pictures.

Well H martinezii is blooming (other plants)--so will have to see what different species blooms next.

Habranthus martinezii has been blooming continuously and magnificiently since I started this thread. 'Ruth Page' bloomed again yesterday. And on this good Friday I was greeted with these lovely bloom buds of:

Zephyranthes primula

This species was first identified by Howard and Ogden in 1990 and is native to north eastern Mexico (which really also means southern Texas as these species are moving northward due to global warming). This species blooms about two months earlier than Zephyranthes reginae in my gardens. The robust flowers are light yellow, do not fade in color on subsequent days; and before the flowers open, the outside of the beautiful buds are yellow fading into a peachy-pink color as it opens. Simply stunning in bud form. Zephyranthes primulina's leaves are wide, glossy, and tinted purple at their base. It prefers partial sun, medium moisture levels, and is a vigorous grower. Recommended for growing in zones 8-10.

They should open up nicely during the day today--and I will get a shot of them then.

Debbie, it is so good that you are giving us such wonderful information about these plants and their history, it is obvious that you are in love with them.
Josephine,

Here is a side view showing that excellent coloration on the underside of the petals--excuse the concrete background--I was trying to get some other stuff done. I think this one will be good enough for the IBS gallery. I have a few other's there too.

Cooler weather conditions and ample rainfall are responsible for this. I'm sure this one will not be quite so impressive in July-lol

Thanks Josephine--the rain lilies are probably my favorites of my bulb collection. And definitely what I know the most about.

I'm building a paver display area out back and moved this one particular pot over so it could have its day 'on stage' so to speak. This is not the best shot--but like I say I'm pretty busy. I'll play with them and get a better "prettified" shot later. It's a really bright yellow variety.

The pot these are in is just about to disintegrate so as soon as they finish blooming--and hopefully setting seeds, this group of bulbs will be put into the ground with its friends.

I get a lot of email about rain lilies and probably the most asked question is the differences between the Zephyranthes and Habranthus species. There are many, most not very interesting to the average grower. One very obvious differnce is size. Size of both blooms and leaves. Habranthus species tend to be quite a bit larger and more robust growers. The flower form is what most people would notice.

Again, these photo's were quickly taken during rest breaks. Notice the 'nodding' form of the funnel shaped flowers of these Habranthus martinezii blooming today.

As compared to the open, upright form of these Zephyranthes primulina.

There are a lot of other differences too--but we'll save that for another day.

Debbie, thank you for all that great information. I, too, love rain lilies. I have quite a few out in our pastures. When would be the best time to transplant them into my garden?

Betty--
If they are species (and they probably are if they are out in the pasture), I'd wait until after they bloom. Species tend to be more seasonal in their blooming--hybrids more sporadic and repetitive. This is not a hard and fast rule as I have many species that are repeat bloomers, but usually not the Texas natives. You just have to wait a few days. Moving them usually never affects seed production either. Will give you a better idea of color for garden placement too. They make great edging for borders and also do well under shrubs that don't have ground-level branches. Also extremely low care container plants.

Most of all have fun with them--and always check on them for about a week after heavy rain--you will often be surprised by their quick response!
=)

H martinezii is still blooming heavily.

This one is blooming again and I think closer to when it should really be blooming.
Habranthus tubispathus var. roseus
This species was first identified by Traub in 1970 and is native to Uruguay. It has coppery-pink buds which open nocturnally to a creamy white; but quickly change to pinkish, flushed deep rose on the outside. A very unusual Habranthus species! Recommended for zones 8-10; but probably would do OK in 7b too.

It occurs to me that I need to probably update this thread. Been very busy with these guys and all the other bulbs that do really well in the south. Lots of these also produce prolific seeds--which have to be dealt with also.

Rain is a very good thing in Houston--in fact, its made for a banner year for all the bulbs and rhizomes I grow. I just hope it keeps up through the summer and does not rot the Sternbergia's.

Habranthus martinezii is still blooming in waves--after nearly every big rain. Prolific seeder and offsetter. Same with Zephyranthes primulina. I actually have Z primulina and Z reginae blooming on the same day--never seen that before.

I guess I should try to keep this in chronological order. The next to bloom was (4/28):
Habranthus brachyandrus
This species was first identified by Sealy in 1937 and is native to Paraguay and Argentina. This gorgeous Habranthus species sometimes has huge (sometimes has blooms as large as a small Hippeastrum!) pale pink-lavender trumpets with a deep purple to almost brownish throat. It blooms continuously in waves throughout the
summer . Recommended for growing in zones 8-10. It's also hard to photograph to its fullest advantage--as I'm finding that several are.

This message was edited May 31, 2007 11:46 AM

The next to start blooming was Zephyranthes grandiflora (5/8)--probably the most popular of the pinks. This species was first identified by Lindley in 1825 and is native to Guatemala and Hondurus. It is probably the most popular large 4" wide and 12" high blooming rose-pink rain lily seen naturalized in southern gardens. Zephyranthes grandiflora begins blooming in mid-May; with glossy, light green leaves. Recommended for growing in zones 7-10. Had to get this one at almost dark to get a decent pic.

Next was Zephyranthes macrosiphon (5/15):
This bulb was first identified by Baker in 1881 and is often confused with Zephyranthes grandiflora; but, it blooms a bit darker; but much more often, and has shorter scapes. The foliage on this particular rain lily completely disappears during the hot summer months and it is hysteranthous (blooms before leaves). Unlike many Zephyranthes species, this bulb likes full shade and rather high moisture levels. It has extremely intense rose-pink blooms and flowers repeatedly. An impressive pink blooming rain lily species in my opinion. Recommended for growing in zones 8-10.

Habranthus robustus started blooming next (5/25):
This is undoubtedly the most popular of the Habranthus species and is native to Brazil. Like most of the South American rain lilies, it tends to have higher moisture requirements than other rain lily species. For, it’s a very heavy bloomer of large pale pink flowers with green eyes in May-June. It’s also a rapid multiplier, quickly forming thick clumps from both offsets and seeds. Recommended for growing in zones 8-10. This is definitely the most robust Habranthus species we grow and a joy to behold when in bloom! Much nicer than Z grandiflora.

Zeph morrisclintii and Z lindleyana have both been blooming since mid-May--but not easy to get good photo's of.

These hybrids are blooming today (along with a lot of the above):
Zephyranthes x ‘Tenexico Apricot’
This Zephyranthes hybrid of unknown origin blooms with rich apricot-peach blooms in early summer and is a dependable repeat bloomer. A very unique and vigorous grower for us; a natural hybrid found in Mexico. The blooms do pale over time to pale pink in color. It prefers partial sun and high moisture levels. Recommended for growing in zones 8-10. This particular quart of bulbs really surprised me this morning--they bloomed in 9 months from seed.