Zephyranthes candida - Storm Lily

Family: Amaryllidaceae

Common Name(s): Fairy Lily, White Rain Lily, Storm Lily

Native to: South America

Flowering: Late Summer to early Autumn

Watering:Ensure that the soil is kept moist at all times.

Planting Aspect: Full Sun, Part Shade

Preferred Climate:

 

Temperate, Subtropical

Description

Storm Lily is so named because of its general habit to break into flower just as the first summer quenching rains fall in autumn. It grows to between 20 and 25cm tall with cup shaped white and sometimes flushed rose blooms. It also has a habit of closing up its fragrant petals at night. They are ideal planted as both pot/container and border edging colour.

Cultivation

Select a sunny position or one with afternoon shade in very hot locations. Soil should be rich and free draining but moisture retentive. Prepare the growing site by digging over the soil and adding a good handful of blood and bone, rich compost or well decayed animal manure prior to planting out. Plant the bulbs 5 to 10cm deep and 10 to 20cm apart. Ensure that the soil is kept moist at all times. A general fertiliser given in spring when new growth emerges will assist growth. No particular pests or diseases.