Rainflower Zephyranthes
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- zeh-fih-RANTH-eez
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Rain Lily is a bulbous perennial in the Amaryllis family that is native to southern North America south to Central and South America. There are over 70 species along with numerous hybrids and cultivars. In the wild, plants often burst into bloom immediately following periods of significant rain, hence the common name.
These bulbs prefer well-drained soils in sun to part shade and bloom in spring, summer or fall depending on the species. Many bloom from summer to fall. The flowers come in white, yellow, and shades of pink. Most have grass-like foliage but some species have wider leaves. They are listed as hardy in zones 7-10 but some may tolerate colder temperatures.
Use in rock gardens, borders, walkways or small spaces. They can also be used in containers and brought indoors if desired.
Additional Zephyranthes Images at Juniper Level Botanic Garden
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County Water Garden at David Caldwell Historic Park
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Apricot Queen'
- 'Big Shot'
- 'Bombay'
- 'La Buffa Rosea'
- 'Libra'
- 'Panama Pink' × flaggii
- 'Pink Panther'
- 'Prairie Sunset'
- Starfrost
- 'Apricot Queen'
- 'Apricot Queen', 'Big Shot', 'Bombay', 'La Buffa Rosea', 'Libra', 'Panama Pink' × flaggii, 'Pink Panther', 'Prairie Sunset', Starfrost
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Apricot Queen'
- 'Big Shot'
- 'Bombay'
- 'La Buffa Rosea'
- 'Libra'
- 'Panama Pink' × flaggii
- 'Pink Panther'
- 'Prairie Sunset'
- Starfrost
- 'Apricot Queen'
- 'Apricot Queen', 'Big Shot', 'Bombay', 'La Buffa Rosea', 'Libra', 'Panama Pink' × flaggii, 'Pink Panther', 'Prairie Sunset', Starfrost
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Zephyranthes
- Family:
- Amaryllidaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern USA, Mexico, South America
- Distribution:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are usually 6 petaled and crocus-like or open flat. Some are nocturnal blooming. Some species are fragrant. Flowers range in size from 1-3 inches. Most of the ones in cultivation do not require the rain/drought scenario found in nature to bloom. They also bloom at different times of the year depending on the species.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Many have clumps of narrow grass-like green leaves but some have wider leaves.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Smooth green stems 4-10 inches
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
