Years and years ago, one of my favorite aunts gave me a whole bunch of lily bulbs. The lilies were all of the crinum lily family but were different colors. One she called a "Ruby Lily" multiplies so prolifically that I have been able to share with anyone who has ever wanted a start. It is the prettiest of deep ruby-pinks and has a delightful scent that lets you know well in advance that you are about to come upon a clump in bloom. Most of these, I have planted on the south side of the house and see daily as I walk to the pier. I have to smile with each encounter simply because of memories.
Another of the crinum lillies is the palest of pale pinks. If memory serves me right, she called these "Peppermint Lilies". Since the lily has lost its red streaks, it no longer resembles a peppermint candy but the name sticks. Perhaps mine are a throwback to some previous type lily. This clump is near the little Frog Pond and I often miss the blooms unless the wind is just right. These, too, have an intoxicating aroma! If I happen to step on the back porch and there is a slight west wing, the scent lets me know that I need to venture to that part of the yard. These have a slightly different scent than the Rubies but it is just as sweet.
Both of these lilies never fail to fill the yard with their blooms during the summer months. When not in bloom the large clumps of bright green, strappy leaves are quite imposing, in their own right. Crinum lilies can often be found at abandoned homesites from as far back as the 1800s. The lilies were a must-have item in gardens of the well-to-do back in the day. The clumps of lilies could be as large as thirty feet across or they could line the winding lanes to the main house. Landscaping was often centered around the lilies as they were easy to grow and maintain. Then, the lilies became more mainstream and most gardens had (much smaller) clumps. After having their time of glory, the interest faded until, now, the lilies are almost hard to find and the bulbs are often expensive. I am fortunate enough to have many. The hardy bulbs have stood through icy winters, scorching summers, hurricanes and droughts. I do hope the bulbs just keep multiplying!
Back years ago, Aunt Marie gave me some lily bulbs. Those things were huge! She called them "Ruby Lilies" so the name stuck with me. She also gave some that she dubbed "Peppermint Lilies". Like the others, I still call those by her descriptive name even though, I have found that they are both Crinum Lilies. The Ruby Lilies are the loveliest shade of ruby pink while the Peppermint Lilies are white and pink striped. Both lilies are highly scented! When blooming, the entire yard can be filled with delightfully sweet aroma. This I like! Highly scented flowers can help mask the not so delightful scent of low tide on the mudflats.
Besides being highly scented and quite lovely, the lilies are perhaps the easiest garden flowers to grow. Once established, the Crinum Lilies are nigh on impossible to kill so even the laziest of gardeners can have a lush bed of loveliness! It is not uncommon to find abandoned homesteads from long ago that still have huge beds of the lilies in bloom. Those lilies usually have bulbs that are near basketball size unlike the smaller two to three inch bulbs that are sold in stores. Those "antique" bulbs can weigh up to twenty pounds each! Some folks claim that the Crinum Lilies are eternal. They never die no matter how badly you treat them. Forget to water them, never give them fertilizer, run over them with your lawnmower, spray with herbicide...the lilies live. Mine withstood the ravages of hurricanes, were doused with the salty flood waters, lay hidden under ten feet of debris and took the mistreatment of our tractors as we cleaned the mess. Once uncovered, the lilies burst forth with masses of leaves and then bloomed!
Since the lilies have so many good attributes, you would think that more gardeners would add them to the landscape. Like all good things, there is usually a downside...a dark cloud that hovers just overhead. With the Crinum lilies, I have only found one. NEVER plant them where you do not want them. Once well established, it is nigh on impossible to move them. If you do wish to ever take out the entire clump of lilies, you better utilize a large tractor. Otherwise, you will work yourself into a frenzy trying to dislodge the huge bulbs. No wonder I love these things! I better. I sure do not plan on moving them!
