Orange River Lily Crinum bulbispernum
Photograph early May. Riverbanks Botanical Garden. Photo by Hunter Desportes. The most cold hardy crinum lily thrives in zone 5. It even multiplies and will self sow, after 3‘ tall flowers set fascinating fleshy, marble like seed. It’s not orange at all, but is so called as it comes from the Orange River in Africa. Flowering Time: Depends on zone. In zone 9; March. Zone 8; April/May Zone 5 late May. Foliage: Granite-gray leaves stand out among other plants. The recurving leaves that make flowing mounds about 3 tall. Individual leaves can reach 8 feet, though they curl into themselves. Growth Rate: Medium to slow.
Ultimate Height: 36 inches but it sprawls and often reminds me some sea creature crawling onto shore! Special Care: No special care when established. Find a place with good drainage& in sun to light shade. Plant it where it can live for decades. I have a bulb that is now 80 years old. Gardening Tips: Distinctive in foliage and for its huge tropical lily trumpets that punctuate more fine textured spring perennials. Even though it grows near rivers, this is not a bog plant. It must dry out sometimes. Select a place with good winter drainage. Suggested Combinations: Try this with sweet grass; the habit is similar but the textures contrast. Or with antique mums, which flower much later.