Mary Claire Rowe

Ellen Bosanquet crinums are blooming again, so it must be the middle of June.

We can set our calendar by the plants that are blooming at any given time. I love that dependability of plants following their cycle of life. It makes for order and reason in our otherwise hectic and disorderly world.

Bosanquet crinums were developed by a Louis Bosanquet in Florida in 1910. Perhaps Ellen was his lovely wife, or sainted mother, I am not certain, but he certainly paid her a great honor to name such a lovely plant after her.

Crinums are gigantic bulbs and with their leaves out full cover about a six-foot radius. The flower spikes reach to about four feet, so they are a major plant to consider for the garden. Once planted, they do not like to be moved. They like full sun to part shade, and will settle in and grow and multiply in an orderly fashion.

They like most soil, and prefer to have regular moisture with good drainage. They require very little attention once planted, and will add beautiful color to your garden each June. Give crinums a chance in your garden, and you will be a happy gardener.

To learn more about crinums and all the amaryllids, visit http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/southerngarden/ElizLawr.html. This will take you to "A Southern Garden" by author Elizabeth Lawrence.

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