Rain Lily 'First Love' (Bulbs)

Zephyranthes 'First Love'

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Origin

South America

Description

Rain Lily is a  hardy perennial , will form clumps to about 1 foot tall and wide of glossy, narrow green leaves. Purple & white tubular flowers with six petals and yellow stamens, bloom on stems that are as tall as the foliage, will appear during rainy season or following an increase in moisture or humidity. 

Zephyranthes plants generally produce three upright petals and three identical sepals, ranging from narrow to broad. The foliage is grassy and bright green, and tends to have a prostrate habit: think of the narrow foliage of grape hyacinth bulbs, which is similar. An individual flower will only last a few days, with the heaviest flush of blooms occurring first. The bulbs may bloom occasionally throughout the rest of the season, especially after heavy rain.

Environment

Zephyranthes will grow well in full sun to full shade, and do quite well in containers. Some dappled shade or afternoon shade is usually tolerated, especially in hot climates.
Rain lilies thrive in average to rich garden soil. The bulbs exhibit tolerance to a wide range of drainage situations, both boggy and sandy conditions.
While rain lilies can survive periods of drought, flowers will  not appear until a summer soaking triggers the blooms. Daily irrigating & sprinkling the bulbs  thoroughly will also prompt flowering.
Rain lilies are best suited for warm, humid environments. They do not need to be fertilized, but little spread of compost over the ground before they emerge in the spring can give more bloom.
Rain lilies grow well in pots. The tops of the bulbs should be covered by an inch of soil. Although generally planted 2–4 inches apart when in the ground, when grown in containers, rain lily bulbs can be placed closer together, as they prefer being crowded.

Landscape Use

This versatile plant can be used in mass plantings, in rock gardens, as a container plant or partially submerged in the water garden.