Zephyranthes grandiflora (Rain Lily)

Zephyranthes grandiflora (Rain Lily) is a bulbous perennial boasting large, open-faced, pink flowers, 4 in. long (10 cm), adorned with a white throat and floppy, golden anthers. Blooming in succession in mid to late summer, they sit atop upright stems rising above a tuft of narrowly strap-shaped green leaves. The flowers open out flat at midday and close in the afternoon. Brightening up the garden for weeks, this is probably the finest of the Rain Lilies in cultivation. Pretty in rock gardens, at the front of borders or in containers.

• Grows up to 9-12 in. tall (22-30 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm). Will naturalize and spread to create charming colonies.
• Thrives in full sun in moderately fertile, moist and well-drained soils. Protect from winter wet.
• Spectacular when planted in great swathes along paths or sidewalks. Good candidate for border fronts, rock gardens and containers.
• Virtually pest and disease free.
• Zephyranthes grandiflora is only hardy to zones 9-10. Therefore, in cooler areas, the 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.
• Propagate by seed, sown with moderate heat as soon as ripe. Separate offsets in spring.
• Native to Mexico to Guatemala.