![\"\"](\"http:\/\/farm4.static.flickr.com\/3474\/3747135740_436cb9cf2c.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTry a new flower to go with\u00c2\u00a0 seasonal rain. This 2015 update on my attempts to grow Rain Lilies<\/p>\n
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I discovered a 6 inch pot in my greenhouse with a label saying Habranthus but I don’t know where I got the contents from. There were a couple of short, green, narrow leaves and little else until this week when flowers erupted from the soil on 4 inch stems with petals nearly as long.<\/p>\n
I water my greenhouse with a hosepipe spray except when I am adding fertilizer and recently I have been misting over all the pots and plants. You can see how the spray has stuck to the Habranthus flower.<\/p>\n
Habranthus is a genus in the Amaryllidaceae family with species from Central and South America extending into southern North America. They have narrow, linear or strap-shaped leaves. Their flowers are very similar to Zephyranthes and both are called rain lilies.<\/p>\n This variety of Habranthus is flowering in late Summer (Sept) and offers a delicate touch to colour with minimum fuss. Habranthus bulbs should be quite hardy in the UK.<\/p>\n Rosemary Sims from Daves Garden<\/a> gives the best description ‘Like the Hippeastrums, Habranthus is hardy where ever the ground does not freeze and summers are hot. They are also excellent and forgiving pot plants but should be left outside during summer so the rains can touch them. With all the rain we have been getting in England it may be worth tracking down some bulbs and giving them a try. The flowers are very pretty but I must wait to see how many actually flower and how they survive. ( The drizzle is coming down in stair rods again to make my garden boggy).<\/p>\n Zephyranthes<\/strong><\/p>\n Update May 2011 Update October 2012 Cooperia<\/strong>![\"habranthus\"](\"https:\/\/gardenerstips.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/pinkflower320.jpg\" "\\"pinkflower320\\"")
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\n<\/a><\/p>\nWhat is a Rain Lily<\/h3>\n
\nThis is among my favorite of all rain lilies because of its size and that it continuously blooms in waves from April through about September (on the gulf coastal plain). The large Hippeastrum-like flowers all face in the same direction and give a charming effect. They are about 4″ long and across and on stems from 12″ to 24″, depending on how much rain has spurred them to bloom and whether they are in shade or sun (shorter in sun). The leaves are about 1\/3″ wide and are flat and floppy but not unattractive in the garden.’
\nThere are over 20 species of Habranthus to choose from and other plants also called Rain Lilies such as the Zepyranthes and Cooperia.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nGrowing and Propagating Tips<\/h2>\n
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\nGermination of my Zephyranthes was reasonable with one or two of each variety now looking like thin grass witha miniature bulb attached.
\nThey seem delicate for a by the wallop gardener like me.<\/p>\n
\nI have lost the plant – 2012 was a no show – It serves me right.<\/p>\n
\nThese rain lilies are well scented and grow in dry conditions.
\nPlants are now being crossed with the other rain lily species of Habranthus and Zephyranthes.<\/p>\n