Why aren't rain lilies more popular?? They have so many great attributes and are perfect for our hot steamy summers. In many ways they should be as well known as crocus. Yet unlike crocus, rain lilies aren't consumed by squirrels, rabbits, or deer.
The common name "rain lily" refers to the tendency of these bulbs to spring into flower after a soaking rain. This is one of the great marvels of horticulture. Imagine little lollipops of color erupting from the soil seemingly overnight!
Rain lilies can generally be divided into two genera, Zephyranthes and Habranthus. I distinguish the two by the angle of the flower. In Habranthus, the flowers are usually held at an angle and can be somewhat asymmetrical. Whereas Zephyranthes flowers are usually perfectly symmetrical and upward facing. Interestingly, the genus Zephyranthes refers to Zephyrus, the Greek god of the west wind. And since our rains typically blow in from the west this is a particularly apt reference.
Regarding Habranthus, we mostly encounter H. robustus. This is a large showy rain lily that multiplies quickly and is extremely tough! 'Pink Flamingo' is a cultivar I first purchased from Plant Delights Nursery. It has proven to be a great perennial and produces many offsets that can easily be divided and shared.
Zephyranthes is an enormous genus that encompasses our native spring blooming Atamasco lily. Because of their pure white flowers and spring bloom they are sometimes referred to as "Easter lilies" by old-timers. This is a good woodland plant for moist deciduous shade or even full sun, but you must have plenty of moisture! They can even grow in boggy or poorly drained soils.
Other species/ hybrids I'd like to mention are Z. grandiflora (pink flowering), Z. drummondii (evening blooming), and the pale yellow Z. primulina and 'Ajax'. These have all performed exceptionally well at my mom's house in Hillsboro, Ga. You can't go wrong with these plants, and I'd urge you to experiment with the many species and cultivars that are offered online.
If I had to offer some downsides to growing rain lilies, I would point out that these bulbs can easily be overtaken by more robust and vigorous plants. They are probably best suited for rock gardens or near the edges of beds where they can be fully appreciated. It should also be noted that for the most part these plants require full-sun... so if you see a clump being overtaken by a larger plant, it is important to divide and relocate it to a sunnier spot. There are a few pests, for I have noticed that snails, slugs, and the voracious lubber grasshoppers will totally decimate rain lilies so be on the lookout!
Rain lilies should be in all of our yards, and I hope I have made the case for why they are such great additions! If you want to start these plants, you are going to have to shop online or befriend collectors like myself. But you will be reward tenfold with ever expanding clumps that so fun to divide. And if you make the effort to share these with your gardening friends, you can help ensure their survival for generations to come.
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