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Crinum × powellii

swamp lily

A bulbous perennial forming a tuft of strap-shaped, bright green leaves, with umbels of fragrant, trumpet-shaped light pink flowers to 12cm in width, on stems to 1.5m, from late summer

Synonyms

Crinum × powellii 'Roseum'
Crinum × powellii pink

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Tufted
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Crinum are bulbous perennials, sometimes evergreen, with umbels of showy, fragrant, funnel-shaped flowers held well above the strap-shaped leaves
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained, deep, humus-rich, fertile soil. Intolerant of waterlogging and may need some protection from frosts in colder areas. Keep neck of the bulb just proud of the soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers with bottom heat when ripe or by offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Sub-tropical
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free but young growth may be susceptible to slugs and snails

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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