The discovery of the Regal Lily (Lilium regale) in 1903 and its introduction into cultivation a year later stimulated great interest in lilies. Its discoverer, E. H. Wilson, wrote and talked about it. Stocks of bulbs were produced rapidly from seeds, and as it performed well in gardens, it soon became a common garden plant. … Read more
The star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum, includes many species, none of which are native to this country. Hence, they are known to readers only in the cultivated state. The genus belongs to one of the largest and best-known groups of flowering plants – the lily family, numerous species of which are grown in the home, the … Read more
Our half-acre garden has seen many changes over the years we have worked it. When we moved out of the city, our thoughts were much the same as those of other new suburbanites – growing vegetables and letting my wife have her little flower garden near the house. At first, we attempted everything from radishes … Read more
“Thee sent me what we call the Atamasco Lily, from its shape. It has a blush of purple before the flower opens; is white within. It is properly a Lilin Narciss: the leaves of the last, and the flower of the first. If, in thy rambles, thee happens on this flower, pray to send a … Read more
The cultivation of the graceful water lily dates back to antiquity. Long valued florally, both the tuber and seeds of the waterlily have also been used for food. It was the favorite flower of one Chinese writer of the eleventh century, even though, since about 660 A. D., it had been fashionable to admire the … Read more
The curious blood lily flower (Haemanthus), is a member of the Amaryllis family, and native to Africa. Most bulbous blood lily species are usually without foliage when flower spikes appear. They are little known to gardeners despite their spectacular bloom. Haemanthus katharinae originates from South Africa province of KwaZulu-Natal. It’s globular bright salmon-red flower clusters … Read more
One of the most useful and most neglected of all summer-flowering bulbs is Ismene or hymenocallis, also known by the common names: Peruvian-daffodil Basket-flower Spider-lily It is spectacular in the garden, especially when planted in masses, and it is delightfully fragrant and always striking in an arrangement. The long-lasting, glossy, strap-like foliage adds a lush … Read more
Eucharis x Grandiflora (YOO-kuh-riss gran-dih-FLOR-uh) is an evergreen bulbous perennial belonging to the genus Eucharis and from the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. The genus name Eucharis originated from the Greek word, which means pleasing or charming. The name perfectly describes the flowering plant because of its lovely narcissus-like blooms. The genus Eucharis comprises 15 to 20 … Read more
Blood lily, botanically named Scadoxus multiflorus (ska-DOKS-us mul-tih-FLOR-us), is a bulbous herb belonging to the genus Scadoxus and from the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. It’s formerly known as Haemanthus multiflorus, initially described in 1795 by Thomas Martyn, an English botanist. In 1838, the Haemanthus multiflorus was moved by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque to a new genus Scadoxus, … Read more
Cardiocrinum giganteum is one of the largest and most spectacular of all lilies. It grows to 10’ feet or more and bears as many as 20 to 30 blooms to the stem. The flowers are semi-pendulous trumpets, about 8” inches long, white with purplish-red striping inside. The large glossy leaves average about 15” inches across. … Read more