Crinum Ellen Bosanquet

Noted for its spicy fragrance, Crinum 'Ellen Bosanquet' is a bulbous perennial with umbels of large, trumpet-shaped, deep rose to wine-red flowers, 4 in. long (10 cm). Blooming in succession from mid to late summer, the eye-catching blossoms rise well above the foliage clump of strap-shaped, semi-erect, bright green leaves. Evergreen in mild climates, the foliage will die back in freezing temperatures. One of the finest of all late summer bulbs, this Lily is an old but very popular Crinum hybridized by Louis Bosanquet in Florida in the 1915s. When grown in the ground year-round in southern gardens, it will increase in size and magnificence year after year and form colonies. It makes a striking cut flower too.

• Grows up to 2-3 ft. tall (60-90 cm) and 1-2 ft. wide (30-60 cm).
• Performs best in full sun in moist, humus-rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Best growth occurs in full sun, but some light shade is appreciated during the heat of the day in hot summer areas. Mature bulbs tolerate somewhat drier soil conditions than small bulbs. Intolerant of waterlogging. Resents being disturbed.
• Excellent addition to beds and borders, containers. To be planted in spring
• Reliable, easy to grow, generally disease and pest free. However, watch out for slugs and snails.
• Propagate by bulblets in spring.
• Ingestion may cause mild stomach upset