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Growing Hymenocallis



Hymenocallis is often called (more simply) Spider lily, summer daffodil, Peruvian daffodil and Sea daffodil (just to mention a few of the more common names). It is related to the amaryllis and is a native of Peru. How’s that for a bunch of info right off the top? It's called a "summer daffodil" because the flowers probably look more like a daffodil than a lily.

The nice thing is that these flowers are fragrant.

How to Grow


Flowering in mid summer – roughly between the middle to end of June and into July for several weeks, this bulb (resembling a daffodil) can really cause a stir in the neighborhood if planted in large clumps as their flowers reach up to the 18-24 inch mark.

Do plant them so the neck is “just” above the surface – do not bury this bulb and plant them so they are approximately 6-8 inches apart for the best show.

If you grow them in containers – they do well there – plant at slightly less spacing 5-6 inches apart for a good show.

Plant after danger of frost.

This bulb wants a sunny but sheltered location out of the wind and cold nights. Given its preference, it would choose an afternoon sun rather than a full, hot all-day sun.

Overwintering


Native to Peru, this is a tender bulb and will require lifting and cool, dry storage for the winter in all colder (frost) climates. You can try a deep mulch in zone 7/8 but don’t count on it.

Varieties Mostly Available in Garden Centers


'Advance' - white
'Sulphur Queen' - creme yellow
H. festalis - white
H. festalis 'Zwanenburg' - white (an improved festalis)
H. harrisiana - white





















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hymenocallis
Hymenocallis