Rain Lilies Thrive in the Neglected Garden

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service — Galveston County Office July 29, 2020

Dr. William M. Johnson is a horticulturist with the Galveston County Office of A&M AgriLife Extension Ser- vice. Visit his website at http://aggie- horticulture.tamu.edu/ galveston.

News column printed in the Galveston Daily News, The Post, and other Galveston County Newspapers.

PHOTO CREDIT: Laura Bellmore Rain lilies are very easy to grow and are very drought tolerant. They dependably produce a flush of delicate, crocus-like in shades of white, pink or yellow several times throughout spring, summer and autumn.

Rain lilies are about as low believable sales pitch but it Pink rain lilies are a fa- maintenance as any per- is true. In fact, within two vorite landscape of ennial can get. I would rec- days of rainfall brought on Laura Bellmore, a gar- ommend rain lilies to any by Hurricane Hanna, the dening friend and re- gardener wanting to turn a Golden Yellow Rain Lilies tired co-worker, and are brown thumb into a green ( citrina) in shown in the photo ac- thumb. my home garden promptly companying this article. sent up an attractive mass And, yes, she shared These small earned of flowers. Many of my some of her bulbs and I the name "rain lily" be- gardening friends also fa- look forward to seeing cause they often vor pink rain lilies these new additions within a few days after ( robustus). adding cheerful splashes rainfall. Sounds like an un- to my home landscape. Page 2 Rain Lilies Thrive in the Neglected Garden Rain lilies are very easy to grow and Rain lilies can be planted in pock- described). While aphids and cer- are very drought tolerant. From ets throughout the garden or mass tain other sucking insects can al- spring through fall, rain lilies pro- plantings can be established to so produce honeydew, duce flushes of delicate, crocus-like create large, majestic sweeps of Scheffleras are more likely to be flowers in shades of white, pink or blooms. They perform best under infested with scale insects. These yellow and other shades depending sun or part shade. will appear as brown bumps on on the species. the twigs and leaves which can Rain lilies are also well-suited for be scraped off with a fingernail. Generations of sharing gardeners growing in containers on a patio. have spread rain lilies. In fact, rain They do best when crowded and Scale insects are difficult to con- lilies can be found in local land- slightly pot-bound. trol, especially if they have scapes even if the home that once spread to other in the ar- stood there has been long gone or I have already noted that rain lilies ea. However, there are insecti- vacated. Such a circumstance is the are about as low maintenance as cides which can be used to treat best testament for rain lilies’ repu- any perennial can get. However, scale insects. You should be sure tation for being really tough plants. you will have to plant them. to select one which is labeled for Should they be forgotten after- use on interior houseplants. The blooms last for two-to-three wards, gardeners nevertheless will days but new flowers continue to very likely be rewarded with sur- Insecticidal oils and soaps may be develop for several days, creating prising flushes of colorful blooms your best low toxicity option if flushes of flowering. The flowers over next year’s gardening season. the plants must be kept indoors close at night. during treatment. If plants can- Rain lilies should fit the needs of not be moved outdoors for a the most casual gardener; even Rain lily bulbs produce clumps of conventional insecticidal spray, the neglectful gardener should be Bayer Advanced offers “2-in-1 attractive, grass-like blue-green able to grow rain lilies. leaves that range from a few inches Insect Control with Fertilizer to more than a foot in length, de- Spikes” to provide systemic con- Try planting rain lilies as they ask pending on species. The botanical trol in addition to providing ferti- for very little in return! or scientific name for most species lization. of rain lilies is Zephyranthes which GARDENERS’ Q&A Be sure to periodically inspect is derived from the name of a the plant for re-infestations of Greek mythological figure. Zephy- Question: I have a Schefflera in a scale insects. rus was the Greek god of the west well-lighted indoor location. wind that typically brought the There is very little leaf drop, but rainfall with which these plants are the tree has a great deal of sap associated. dripping from the leaves onto the carpet which has become sticky Rain lilies won't be the flashiest as a result. Can you tell me the bloomers in the garden but they cause and how to treat it? naturalize well so look for more pop-up color with each passing Answer: Based on the information year after they have been planted. provided, the most likely problem And they weave in and around your is an infestation by scale insects established plants beautifully, fill- which produce honeydew (the ing in bare areas. clear, syrupy, sap-like substance