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CRINUM americanum

Image of Crinum americanum

James Burghardt

Family

Liliaceae

Botanical Name

CRINUM americanum

Plant Common Name

Seven Sisters

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

Here's a magnificent addition to any water garden for summertime interest. The swamp crinum, also known as the seven sisters or American crinum lily, is a bulbous clumping perennial native to lakes, bogs, and swamps across the Gulf Coast region of the southeastern United States. Overall, this crinum species is quite variable in the size of its leaves and flower petal widths.

Anytime from midsummer to frost, in full sun or considerable shade, unbranched flower stems are topped by ball-like white flowers. Each blossom comprises six petals. The glossy, deep green leaves are strap shaped and emerge directly from the bulb. Subfreezing temperatures will kill foliage, but new leaves emerge with the return of warm temperatures.

American crinum lily grows successfully in full sun to partial shade and any moisture-retentive soil (regardless of pH). This plant makes a striking and unusual specimen in rain gardens, ditches or along natural water features. It also is amenable to container culture for sinking into bogs or shallow ornamental water pools.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 6

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    7 - 10

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Bulb or Corm or Tuber

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m

  • Width

    2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m

  • Bloom Time

    Summer, Fall

  • Native To

    United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Texas

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Poorly Drained

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Wet Site

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Ample Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Bog Garden, Cutflower, Water Gardens

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No