Felder Rushing
Family
Liliaceae
Botanical Name
Crinum bulbispermum
Plant Common Name
Bengal Lily, Cape Lily
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Native to South Africa, the cape lily is a bulbous clumping perennial with narrow tapering green leaves overlain with a grayish bloom and bare, upright, unbranched flower stems topped by fountain-like clusters of large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped pink or white flowers. In warm climates, the bulb may flower repeatedly. In cooler climates it blooms in spring. Among crinums, which are mainly warm climate bulbs, it is perhaps the most tolerant of cool to cold conditions. There are reports of bulbs surviving winter in Zone 5 when heavily protected, but otherwise the bulbs are hardy to Zone 7. The plant has naturalized in parts of the American Southwest.
Cape lily grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It needs steady moisture when new leaves emerge and is hardier and happier if the soil is drier over the winter when growth halts or, in cold climates, the leaves wither. This plant makes a striking and unusual specimen in beds and borders.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 6
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 9
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 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
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Height
20"-24" / 50.8cm - 61.0cm
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Width
40"-48" / 101.6cm - 121.9cm
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Southern Africa
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Pink
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Light Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Gray Green
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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
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
