Crinum moorei f. Album

Crinum moorei Album is a hardy perennial bulb with tall umbels of gracefully inclined white lily-like flowers in summer. Its corn-like foliage usually disappears during flowering. It is easy to grow in shade and prefers loose and well-drained soil.

Crinum moorei Album is a bulbous plant belonging to the same family as Amaryllis, Amaryllidaceae. 'Album' is the white form, native to the humid forests of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, South Africa. This plant grows from a very large bulb (8-10 cm (3-4in) in diameter) with a long 'neck' (10-20 cm (4-8in)) that emerges above the ground in most cases. In early spring, leaves over 5 cm (2in) wide and 50 cm (20in) long appear, spreading in a star shape at the top of the neck, with a texture similar to corn leaves. The flower stalks appear in summer (July-August) and reach a height of 80 cm (32in). They bear umbels of 10 large white lily-like flowers, opening successively, with star-shaped, 10 cm (4in) long trumpets. All floral parts are white to white-pink, including the filaments of the stamens and the styles. The very wide leaves usually begin to wither when the flowers bloom.

Crinums live for many years (20 and more) without being replanted, forming large clumps over time. With good fertilisation and regular watering in summer, the vegetation becomes very impressive, with a long summer flowering. If the climate in your region is not too harsh, you can plant Crinum moorei Album outside in a shaded area, in a light understory with soil that retains moisture. It pairs well with amaryllis belladonna, toad lilies (Tricyrtis formosana), wild arums, and ferns. This plant is fabulous for large pots in the shade on the terrace or balcony, or near an entrance.