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Family description Crinum.

Crinum grows from a very large bulb that can take many years to reach flowering size. From this bulb, long strap-like leaves emerge up to 1.5 metres long. These leaves tend to give the plant a scruffy appearance, but this is compensated for by the flower spikes that appear during August and September. These flowers resemble lilies and are large, usually in a shade of deep pink. There are many different varieties, but most are only suitable for cultivation in a greenhouse or conservatory. The most common garden variety is C. powellii and its derivitives. Whilst not entirely hardy, this will survive a few degrees of frost although all leaves will be destroyed. A more exotic varient is the hybrid 'Ellen Bosenquet' with much deeper rich pink flowers. This cultivar requires a bit more protection from cold but otherwise has similar growth habit.

General care.

When planting new bulbs, make sure they do not get completely buried. The neck and a small portion of the bulb's globe should be left above the surface of the soil. Feed well during the growing season and see that they have plenty of water. The main trouble afflicting the Crinum is snails. These seem to come from all over the garden and take up residence on the leaves of this plant. Pick them off at regular intervals or apply slug pellets around the crowns. These bulbs resent disturbance, and are difficult to dig up without damage due to the depth to which they grow. The base of the bulb may well be 30-40cm deep. In mild winters, the leaves are evergreen, but still tend to get scruffy by spring time. Occasionally, go round the plant and remove any dead leaves. Give a good dose of fertilizer in early spring and again in mid-summer. Remove spent flower heads when tidying up.

Notes on Toxicity or Culinary usage.

No toxic, culinary or medicinal properties known.

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Variety: Ellen Bosenquet

Plant is slightly smaller in stature than the common Crinum but the flowes are a similar size and a dark-pink colour.

Ellen Bosenquet  

Species description. Crinum x powellii.

The typical garden Crinum believed to be a cross between C.moorei and C. bulbispermum typically has pale pink flowers during the summer months. A white form also exists.

Display characteristics for Crinum x powellii.

Flower colours and blooming period.

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Foliage colours and disply period

Colour

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• Plant type: Monocotyledon. Deciduous
• Habit: Rounded
• Type: Bulb.
• Height: 1.00 mtr.
• Spread: 1.50 mtr.
• Attractive to wildlife: None
• Preferred soil type: Clay. Loam. Silt.
• Soil moisture requirement: Medium
• Soil ph: Undefined
• Suitable position: Border. Container.
• Light requirements: Full sun. Part sun.
• Summer water requirements: High
• Winter water requirements: None
• Minimum temperature: -10 °c
• Safe Minimum temperature: 0 °c
• Safe Maximum temperature: 35 °c
• Maximum temperature: 0 °c
• Wind tolerance: Medium
• Salt tolerance: None
• Drought tolerance: Low
• Waterlogging tolerance: Medium
• Toxicity-Edibility: Ethnic foodstuff. Use with caution.
• Bloom attributes: Flower arrangement. Showy display.
• Foliage attributes: Undefined
• Berry attributes: Undefined
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