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CRINUM augustum 'Queen Emma'

Image of Crinum augustum 'Queen Emma'

James Burghardt

Family

Liliaceae

Botanical Name

CRINUM augustum 'Queen Emma'

Plant Common Name

Giant Spider Lily, Queen Emma Crinum Lily, Queen Emma Spider Lily

Special Notice

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

General Description

Take your pick: either the white and burgundy flowers or massive purple leaves are your favorite component of the Queen Emma crinum lily. It's a large, free-blooming, fragrant, bulbous perennial for frost-free climates or large containers. Native to the Seychelles and Mauritius in the western Indian Ocean, it grows and increases vigorously in suitable conditions, and blooms continuously, but most heavily in springtime. Over time, 'Queen Emma' grows larger and the broad strap-shaped burgundy-purple foliage emerges from a trunk-like mass that separates into individual flaring, arching, glossy leaves. The bulb produces daughter bulbs freely and one plant eventually becomes an imposing mass. The thick, burgundy, succulent flower stems are topped by mophead-like spidery clusters of large fragrant flowers with narrow pale pink-burgundy to nearly white petals. All parts of the crinum plant are toxic and no seeds are produced.

Queen Emma crinum lily grows and flowers best in full sun on well-drained, moist, non-alkaline soil that is rich in organic matter. In hot, arid climes provide it with dappled shade. It is slightly tolerant of drought once well-established. Use it as a clumping focal accent in a tropical mixed border or large foundation bed. Planted near the house, it perfumes the local air. In a large container it needs full sun and regular watering during the growing season. Light frosts will kill back foliage to the main bulb stem, from which new leaves will emerge once spring warmth returns.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    10 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Bulb or Corm or Tuber

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m

  • Width

    6'-8' / 1.8m - 2.4m

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Eastern Africa

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Pink, Burgundy

  • Flower Color Modifier

    Bicolor

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Purple, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Purple, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Purple, Burgundy

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Purple, Burgundy

  • 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

    Bold

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No