Swamp Lily Crinum

Crinums are great summer-flowering bulbs that have graced Southern landscapes for years. They lend a bit of nostalgia and add a delightful tropical touch to gardens. Their foliage is lustrous and statuesque, providing a pleasing contrast to finer-textured ornamentals.

This member of the amaryllis family is one of the more cold-hardy bulbs (injured below 25 degrees F / 2 degrees C), and it can be safely planted in the eastern regions of our mountains. Those living in the far western regions of North Carolina can grow crinums in containers that can be brought inside for the winter. Plant crinums in April and continuing through late October. They thrive in sunny locations, provided the soil is moist, or in filtered shade. Protect from strong wind.  When looking for plants that grow well in woodland shade gardens, consider C. moorei.

Newly planted crinums need to settle in for a season or two before they begin blooming freely. They do not like to be disturbed. After the first flowering season, apply a high-phosphorus fertilizer in mid-May each year. Provide plenty of water during the bloom period if there is a drought. After 4 to 5 years, remove the offsets and replant to enlarge your collection or to share with a gardening friend.

Sometimes called a Cemetery plant, it was often used in cemeteries in past centuries.  

Division is an excellent form of propagation.  Divided plants will flower more quickly than when planting from offshoot bulbs.  Division should be accomplished in the winter months when the plant is not actively growing.  

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Crinums can be affected by red blotch fungus or crinum mosaic potyvirus.  Red blotch fungus will cause red spots on the leaves, while mosaic potyvirus will cause yellow streaks.  Spider mites are an occasional issue as well as the Eastern lubber grasshopper