Zephyranthes drummondii (Evening Rain Lily)

Zephyranthes drummondii (Evening Rain Lily) is a bulbous perennial boasting sweet-scented, dainty white flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), in late spring to early fall. Opening in the evening, the flowers last 2-4 days before turning pink and withering. They often pop up a day or two after a rain. They sit atop short upright stems rising above narrow, grass-like, blue-green leaves. Brightening up the landscape, the beautiful white ephemeral flowers are a lovely addition to a short-grass meadow. They multiply slowly and come up faithfully year after year. The bulbs also naturalize well in a lawn (they tolerate mowing) or among dwarf annuals and perennials plants.

• Grows up to 6-12 in. tall (15-30 cm) and 3-6 in. wide (7-15 cm). Will naturalize and spread by bulb offsets and seeds to create charming colonies.
• Thrives in full sun in well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade but best flowering occurs in full sun. Protect from winter wet.
• Spectacular when planted in great swathes along paths. Good candidate for border fronts, rock gardens and containers.
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Rain Lilies are only hardy to zones 7-10. Therefore, in cooler areas, their bulbs will have to be dug up before the first frost and stored indoors over the winter in a cool, dry place before being replanted in spring. If grown in pots or containers, they should also be overwintered in a cool, frost-free location with just enough moisture to keep the soil from totally drying out.
• Plant bulbs 2 in. deep (5 cm).
• Propagate by seed, sown in fall. Transplant divisions almost anytime.
• Native to the southeastern and southwestern United States.