Rain lily

Hello all!
I have a question. I was gifted some rain lilies and don't know how to use them. They say they are not hardy in my zone(6a). They are what looks like in a dormant state and firm. Any advice would be welcomed.
THANKS!
George

George I know people in colder parts of the country usually put them in pots and just move the pots indoors for the winter.

they do really well in pots, too
=)

Do I let them stay dormant and put in dark cool place?

I will let Debbie answer this one since all of mine are in the ground.

George, I am glad you asked this ? because I have the same thing and didn't know what to do. Mine are still green but think I will dig them and put them in a pot. Thanks. BEV

they don't need to stay dry dormant in the dark--you can grow them in a windowsill. Just don't overdo the water inside.
=)

THANKS!!! Everybody. Now to pot up my lilies!

Rain lilies can't be forced by letting dry and then watering. Bringing them in, you have an advantage of forcing the dry period though. For your zone, bring them in before the first hard freeze. The first frost is ok, as it will set dormancy.

After you bring them in, discontinue water, until after last frost. Bring them outside in full sun, and await their first rainfall. They'll explode with color.

I use them here to border driveways and other edges. I mow the foliage like regular grass, but when that first spring rain comes, it's a border like you've never seen.

George--
If you "mow" the foliage the bulbs will not get as large as they can as fast, nor will they offset as quickly. I would really not recommend that in your zone. Also, they do not require a dry winter dormancy--in fact, many species (such as Zephyranthes candida) are actually "winter growers". That is, they will grow more rapidly during the cooler months for you, early spring and late fall. Over the winter for us in the deep south. I grow 57 species of rain lilies.
Debbie

My Granddad's mother started these and they've been passed down ever since. I have them in the box my Great Aunt planted them in. My Dad has the other half.

I overwinter mine in a dark closet and don't water at all during the winter. Dad has a cool basement and waters a couple times during the winter. After all danger of frost has pased, we take them outside, water and wait. I really like them!

Zephyr Lily or Rain Lily

That's Zeph grandiflora--it takes a lot of abuse and keeps on going! Nice planter too.
Debbie

Thanks Debbie! It sure does and it's a good thing it's so forgiving :o)

Is it not the same kind of lily? We always called it rain lily till I looked it up and found it was called Zephyr.

Rain lily is the common name for all of the Zephyranthes and Habranthus species. There are lots of them and I grow a lot of them. I'm kinda a specialized bulb grower--my largest collections are Zephyranthes, Habranthus, Cape species Oxalis (winter growers from S Africa). and Cape species glads. Our winter is identical to Southern California's. About half of the rain lily species are actually winter growing here and summer dormant (although some of them will bloom in summer with no leaves). A lot of them are native to Northeastern Mexico and we basically have the same winter growing conditions as them. They grow equally well in pots or the ground here--a bit "tedious" to weed around them sometimes if they are in the ground.

Z grandiflora is really evergreen here, blooms off and on from May-August and is basically dormant Aug-Sept here (its really hot here then).

Here's another one, native to Northeastern Mexico--Zephyranthes reginae.
Debbie

Wow Debbie, you are lily queen! I love the reginae. I'd love to see more pictures.

thanks but not what most people call lilies--lol

:o)

I love to call mine a Zephyr. A neighbor lost her son in a car accident the day before Christmas a year ago. Last spring I potted some up for her and told her Zephyr meant west wind. I always think of her son on west wind days.

I've planted a small group of 'white rain lily' to my perennial garden last spring. They appear to be evergreen here too. I found them very charming.

I've never seen the white, but I bet they are pretty. The pink seem to be a clear pink color. Dainty and not overwhelming.

Mine were planted last spring, currently they appear grassy-like foliage. I've yet seen them bloom. So hopefully this coming summer? I'll post pix as I see them. :-)

I'm looking forward to pictures!

I planted a 6" transplant last spring, these remained green all through winter for me here in Zone 7b. This is the white rain lily.

Lilylove, they lok really good. It's amazing how the leaves get ''trapped'' around them. Are those sweet gum seeds?

Yepper, Sweetgum seedpods and a gazillion of sweetgum seedlings. I have to admit I'm more leaning toward the Blackgum, or tupelo tree over the former. The Blackgum's fall color is spectacular here.

Dad has a sweetgum. It isn't too big yet and there are some prettier in fall color than others. He has one of the prettier ones. It hasn't dropped too many seed pods yet. I think I'm glad I don't have one even tho it is a nice tree.