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
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 10
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Sunset Zone
H1, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Bulb or Corm or Tuber
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
2'-3' / 0.6m - 0.9m
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Width
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Summer, Fall
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Native To
United States, Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Texas
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No