Rain Lilies for the South

These bulbs send up cheery flowers after summer storms

April showers bring May flowers , and summer shower bath bring rain lily . Rain lily are small , flowering perennial bulbs that bloom three to five days after a rain rain shower in mid to recent summertime . Generally , they are not peculiarly noticeable in the garden until they abruptly burst into bloom . Most rain lilies belong to to the generaHabranthus(Zones 7–11 ) andZephyranthes(Zones 7–11 ) . While most are aboriginal to South America , Central America , and Mexico , some are native to areas in the United States .

Tips for growing rain lilies

These bulbs are reliable and reasonably well-heeled to grow . To get the best results , they should be planted in sunny spots with well - draining soil in spring . Do n’t plant the medulla deeply ; they are well-chosen just below the soil aerofoil . Light fertilization in leap avail increase the multiplication of bulbs , but fertilizing in summertime can get more foliage than efflorescence growth .

Standout rain lilies that you can grow in your Southern garden

Short-stamen rain lily

Habranthus brachyandrus , Zones 7–10

Short - stamen rain lily is passably big for a rainwater lily , with flowers sometimes reaching 18 inches above the leaf . Its big pink flowers have dark pink eye and develop on strong prow . It can bloom several times in mid to late summertime after a rainstorm and is one of the first rain lilies to bloom after the rains arrest .

Rio Grande copper lily

Habranthus tubispathus , Zones 7–10

This pelting lily has low yellow-bellied flowers with thin orange lines in the petals and grow from 6 to 12 column inch tall . blossom appear after pelting in late summer . It prefers really warm atmospheric condition . This plant ’s tenuous foliage easily disappears into smoke , gain it fun to constitute in the lawn . Sometimes this pelting lily is call copper lily , but growing up we shout it rain crocus . This rain lily is native to the South .

Peruvian swamp lily

Zephyranthes candida , Zones 7–10

Peruvian swampland lily ( most commonly just called “ rain lily ” ) is ordinarily a one - time flub in belated summer . It ’s spectacular when it blooms , since it bring out lots of flowers at the same time on a 6- to 12 - inch - magniloquent plant life . Weirdly enough , this plant life can be grow in a peat bog or other stand water , although it still necessitate a rainstorm to bloom .

Zephyr lily

Zephyranthes grandiflora , Zones 9–10

This plant has in force - sizing pink flowers with pallid pink - to - white throats and contrasting yellow stamens on tall straight stalks . Zephyr lily grows 9 to 12 inch grandiloquent and is capable of flowering several times during the summer . This very glossy rain lily is a good raiser and will make a prissy clump of bulbs in no time .

Pink rain lily

Zephyranthes rosea , Zones 9–11

Pink rain lily has littler , thinner foliage than other rain lily and develop to only about 6 inches magniloquent . The bright pinkish heyday seem to encompass the plant when it blooms .

Yellow rain lily

Zephyranthes citrina , Zones 7–10

This rain lily has brilliant yellow flowers and usually grows to about 12 column inch tall . It reblooms well and is a good reseeder .

Evening rain lily

Zephyranthes drummondii , Zones 7–10

eve rain lily has pure white flowers in tardy summer , reblooming with summer thunderstorms . It needs estimable drain in the South to avoid rotting over the wintertime .

— Jason and Shelley Powell own and manage flower petal from the Past , a garden center in Jemison , Alabama .

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Peruvian swamp lily (Zephyranthes candida) growing, white petals

Peruvian swamp lily has thin, almost translucent petals, which give it a delicate look.Photo: Shelley Powell

A rain lily plant with pale pink and white flowers.

Short-stamen rain lily has pale pink-and-white flowers.Photo: Shelley Powell

Rio Grande copper lily with a rich yellow flower

Rio Grande copper lily is striking with its mustard yellow blooms.Photo: Shelley Powell

Close-up of Peruvian swamp lily highlights the white petals

While most rain lilies require well-drained soil, Peruvian swamp lily can be grown in standing water.Photo: Shelley Powell

A zephyr lily plant has pink petals that run towards orange and white at the throat of the flower..

With its pink and orange petals, zephyr lily looks like the setting sun.Photo: Shelley Powell

Bright pink rain lily flower

Pink rain lily’s deeply pink flowers will cheer up your garden after a rainstorm.Photo: Vidtra Cholastica Lamban, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This yellow rain lily’s flower is a true yellow.