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Crinum americanum (Swamp Lily)

Swamp Lily, Florida Swamp Lily, Southern Swamp Lily, Spider Lily, Water Spider Lily, American Crinum Lily, Seven Sisters, String Lily, Crinum Lily

Crinum americanum, Swamp Lily, Florida Swamp Lily, Southern Swamp Lily, Spider Lily, Water Spider Lily, American Crinum Lily, Seven Sisters, String Lily, Crinum Lily, late summer flowers, Fragrant flowers, White Crinum, White Flowers

Crinum americanum (Swamp Lily) is a bulbous perennial boasting sweetly fragrant umbels of 2-6 starbursts of white petals, although they may take on a pink blush, 4 in. long (10 cm), adorned with remarkably long purple stamens. Blooming in succession from early summer to early fall, the blossoms rise atop leafless scapes, well above the foliage clump of narrow, evergreen, strap-shaped leaves, 2-4 ft. long (60-120 cm). This Swamp lily does best in very wet soil or slightly under water. Perfect for water gardens, ponds, and streams, Crinum americanum will stand out against the swampy margins of freshwater ponds like a star in the night.

  • Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in moist to wet, organically rich soil. Best growth occurs in full sun, but some light shade is appreciated during the heat of the day in hot summer areas. This plant will also grow 6 in. deep (15 cm) in standing water.
  • Excellent choice for moist to wet garden areas, water gardens, near ponds and streams.
  • Reliable, easy to grow, generally disease and pest-free. However, watch out for slugs and snails or leaf scorch.
  • Native to the southern United States.
  • Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 8 - 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Amaryllidaceae
Genus Crinum
Common names Swamp Lily, Spider Lily, Seven Sisters, Crinum Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Texas, United States
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Wall-Side Borders, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Crinum x powellii ‘Album’ (Swamp Lily)
Crinum ‘Ellen Bosanquet’
Crinum ‘Cintho Alfa’
Crinum ‘Stars and Stripes’
Crinum asiaticum (Giant Lily)
Crinum procerum var. splendens (Queen Emma Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Cornus foemina (Swamp Dogwood)
Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
Ampelaster carolinianus (Climbing Aster)
Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern)
Osmunda cinnamomea (Cinnamon Fern)
Magnolia virginiana (Sweet Bay Magnolia)
Ulmus americana (American Elm)
Ficus aurea (Strangler Fig)
Hamelia patens (Firebush)
Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern Gamma Grass)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 10
Heat Zones 8 - 11
Plant Type Aquatic Plants, Bulbs, Perennials
Plant Family Amaryllidaceae
Genus Crinum
Common names Swamp Lily, Spider Lily, Seven Sisters, Crinum Lily
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Texas, United States
Tolerance Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Wall-Side Borders, Water Gardens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Crinum to pick?
Compare Now

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