Description
Zephyranthes drummondii has been called “Giant Prairie Lily” by some. Though this trivial name does not seem widespread it is somehow very appropriate for this large-flowered native of central Texas where it does indeed grow in prairies at low altitudes, though it is also found in Mexico where it is said to favour humus-filled pockets in rocks. In Mexico it is an inhabitant of dry foothills of the Sierra Occidental from 300-1,000m. Regardless of its wild stations, the bulbs can become quite large with age, anything from 5-7cm in diameter, though to get them to this size does need time, patience and good feeding. Fortunately they commence flowering at a much smaller size than this.
This species usually starts its first flowers early in the spring, April to May is normal, around about the time that the other precocious species Z. morrisclintii opens. However Z. drummondii is of the Cooperia alliance; The buds are a good rich pink, but the pink fades in a matter of a couple of hours once the blooms open in their first evening and it is in fact white-flowered. The flowers open in the evening, remaining open for a few, or several, days depending on temperature. The blooms are beautifully evening-fragrant with a heavy, aromatic sweet perfume and thickly-textured, wavy petals which are conspicuous in the fading evening light so they are easier to find by their pollinating moths. As well as being early with its main flush of flowers in the spring this continues to throw sporadic blooms throughout the season, until as late as September.
Our stock is of the San Carlos form and it is from northern Mexico. It has large, round-petalled flowers that can reach 8cm across when fully opened out. It has a good-natured, floriferous demeanour and does very well in cultivation. In Mexico, it grows in full sun and it will happily accept the fullest of sun in cultivation though it lasts longer and stays in better condition if not subjected to extreme temperatures or sunshine.
