Some Like the Rain
Posted: September 26, 2019 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, rain, Rain Lilies, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 15 CommentsThe huge amount of rain we received was welcomed by some plants. The Rain Lilies enjoyed all the moisture and poked out of the ground with blooms. All the water has drained and the raised beds were in need of a watering. We are all anxiously waiting for Fall weather when the temperatures drop down to the high 80’s.
Tulip Envy
Posted: May 28, 2018 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Rain Lilies, Southern Gardening, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 14 CommentsI have been seeing so many beautiful photos of tulips, I have become quite envious.
But my Rain Lilies helped me get over it by putting on a spectacular show after the rain.
The Rain Lilies are not quite tulips, but they certainly can brighten the day.
Undaunted and Determined
Posted: September 6, 2016 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Rain Lilies, subtropical climate, Subtropical Gardening, Year-round gardening 3 CommentsPlants are amazing. They take every opportunity to spread and grow wherever they can. It was surprising to see this pretty pink Rain Lily determinedly sticking out of a hole in full bloom. This hole was originally a tree stump that rotted away. I put a piece of concrete over it, but a backkyard critter dug the hole bigger. The shot wasn’t easy to get and I finally stuck my cell phone down the hole to show its deepness and the pot above the ground.
Autumn Rains
Posted: September 19, 2014 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Automatic Gardening, Autumn rains, drought, Gardening, Gulf Coast gardening, Rain Lilies, weather change, Year-round gardening 8 CommentsThe Fall rains have returned after being gone for several years. These Fall blooming Rain Lilies are enjoying rain every few days and are blooming better than ever.
A drought and warmer weather has been over us for a few years and has changed our gardening habits. Plants were switched to ones that liked dry soil and our zone was “extended” by the warmer weather to include more tropicals as they were making it through the winter.
This year was different. Winter was cold and the rains have come. The hardiest plants are still in the Automatic Garden and others were just a passing fancy.
When It Rains…You Get Rain Lilies
Posted: June 5, 2013 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Amaryllis, Gulf Coast gardening, Rain Lilies, rain water, Zephyranthes 2 CommentsDay two after a rain shower.
Day three and they are in full bloom.
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Rain Lilies (Zephyranthes) are in the Amaryllis family. They are so interesting as they almost always bloom three days after it rains. Rain Lilies can tell the difference between sprinkler water and rain water. Only water from Mother Nature will make them bloom. This one blooms in the spring although some are fall bloomers. Rain Lilies also come in yellow and white. There are wild ones that grow here on the Gulf Coast and have a wonderful scent. They reproduce by seeds and offsets. If the flowers are snapped off before going to seed, they will continue to bloom several more times. Their leaves are evergreen and look nice all year, which is just perfect for the Automatic Garden.
Fall Blooms
Posted: October 25, 2012 Filed under: Gardening | Tags: Camellia, Clerodendrum, Dutchman's Pipe, Gulf Coast gardening, Philippine Violet, Rain Lilies, torenia, Wild Trailing Bean 1 CommentDutchman’s Pipe is a host for butterfly caterpillars.
Blue Salvia is a favorite of bees and hummingbirds.
White Rain Lilies are delightful in this time of year.
Wild Trailing Bean (Strophostyles helvula) attracts bees.
Clerodendrum a beautiful blue fall bloomer.
Torenia reseeded from the spring and provided fall blooms that brightened up the garden.
Camellias are a wonderful fall and winter flowers that hummingbirds feed on in the winter.
Philippine Violet is a perennial that also reseeds.
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One advantage of living on the Gulf Coast is that the garden doesn’t stop at the changing of the seasons. Planning is essential to the Automatic Garden. Choose perennials or reseeding annuals that begin their blooming times when the summer plants are coming to the end of their season.