Another select South African plant from which Bill Burtt collected seed. The sturdy Crinum moorei has flowered for most of the month of August and looks good for another fortnight yet. Found growing in moist soil on the banks of rivers. In the glasshouse border the elongated bulbs clump up and flower better the longer they have been established.

Touching two metres in height the multiheaded flower spike pushes up above the mass of foliage. Individual flowers open from pink buds into wide petalled blooms with a heavy scent. Each flower with a solitary style, the top half of which is deep pink. Six long white filaments each holding an anther surround it. In direct sun these flower parts send shadows down onto the petals adding another dimension of interest.

Crinum moorei

Crinum moorei