The Genus Habranthus
Family Amaryllidaceae
This is a small genus of bulbous, herbaceous perennials with showy flowers that is native to North America and South America. They resemble and are closely related to the rain lilies, Zephyranthes. A few species of Habranthus are cultivated in gardens of the Coastal Southeast. Lubber grasshoppers can decimate the foliage and flowers.
Other plants in the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, include lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus,) crinum (Crinum,) amaryllis (Hippeastrum,) hurricane and surprise lilies (Lycoris) and daffodils (Narcissus.)
Other plants in the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae, include lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus,) crinum (Crinum,) amaryllis (Hippeastrum,) hurricane and surprise lilies (Lycoris) and daffodils (Narcissus.)
Habranthus brachyandrus
Habranthus brachyandrus
This is a small, semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial to twelve inches tall or more. The flowers are light pink with a deep pink center. It grows well in a sunny, well-drained site. It is recommended for zone 8 and south.
Plants are available from specialty catalogs. It is propagated by seeds and division.
My plants flower from mid-June through August, usually after a rain. In my garden, it spreads very slowly compared to H. robustus.
Plants are available from specialty catalogs. It is propagated by seeds and division.
My plants flower from mid-June through August, usually after a rain. In my garden, it spreads very slowly compared to H. robustus.
Habranthus robustus
Habranthus robustus
This is a small, semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial with flattened leaves. The plant grows to about ten inches tall. The trumpet-shaped pink flowers are about three inches wide. Seedlings volunteer readily, usually near the parents. Of the Habranthus species I have grown, it has the largest flowers and spreads the fastest, especially in moist soils. They grow and flower best in moist to dry sites in full sun. They are recommended for zone 8 and south.
Plants are available from mail order catalogs. This is the most common species in local gardens. It is propagated easily by seed or division.
My plants are deciduous at about 25° F. They flower from mid-May through July, usually after rains.
Plants are available from mail order catalogs. This is the most common species in local gardens. It is propagated easily by seed or division.
My plants are deciduous at about 25° F. They flower from mid-May through July, usually after rains.
Habranthus tubispathus (syn. H. texana)
Habranthus tubispathus
copper lily
This is a small, deciduous herbaceous perennial with slender, dark green, grass-like leaves. A single, one inch wide yellow flower stands on a stalk about six inches tall. The petals have darker, copper-colored veins on the undersides and at the bases of the petals. Flowers are open for one day, closing in the afternoon. Reportedly, a pink flowered form exists, also. The Flora of North America describes an odd range of southern South America and then separately in Texas. It grows easily in full sun in a well-drained soil. It is recommended for zones 7b and 9.
Plants are available from specialty catalogs. Plants spread by seeds and division.
My plants' thin, dark green leaves emerge in February to form a grassy tuft. It flowers sporadically May through August. Flowers open in the morning and fade by afternoon. I like this little plant but usually see the fading flowers in the afternoon when I return home from work. I appreciate those days when flowering and weekends coincide. It spreads slowly in my garden and must be watched so it is not overgrown by neighboring plants.
This is a small, deciduous herbaceous perennial with slender, dark green, grass-like leaves. A single, one inch wide yellow flower stands on a stalk about six inches tall. The petals have darker, copper-colored veins on the undersides and at the bases of the petals. Flowers are open for one day, closing in the afternoon. Reportedly, a pink flowered form exists, also. The Flora of North America describes an odd range of southern South America and then separately in Texas. It grows easily in full sun in a well-drained soil. It is recommended for zones 7b and 9.
Plants are available from specialty catalogs. Plants spread by seeds and division.
My plants' thin, dark green leaves emerge in February to form a grassy tuft. It flowers sporadically May through August. Flowers open in the morning and fade by afternoon. I like this little plant but usually see the fading flowers in the afternoon when I return home from work. I appreciate those days when flowering and weekends coincide. It spreads slowly in my garden and must be watched so it is not overgrown by neighboring plants.