Zephyranthes 'Labuffarosa' (Z. labufarosea)
There is perhaps no more wonderful way to grace your late summer garden than with the impressive blooms of this late August/September blooming rain lily. This rain lily was discovered in the mountains of Tamaulipas, Mexico, and it comes in shades from white to soft pink. These small bulbs pack large blooms! Possible uses include mixing in with common landscape materials such as liriope or mondo grass, or dotting in clumps with other annuals and perennials.
Blooms: Late summer rain showers will trigger the first of 3-4 flushes of bloom. The flowers open wide and flat to about the size of a half dollar, white to blush with soft pink tones and white throats, on stems about 6-9 inches tall. Expect blooms from late August or September, after the fall rains begin, and on until the first frost.
Planting: Plant the bulbs with about 2-3 inches of soil above them, about 3 inches apart, or plant 2 bulbs together in a hole for a nice clump. They do best in full sun to part shade (at least 6 hours of sun) in well-drained soil, and they are happy in rocky or sandy soil; if you have clay, mix in some organic material. Avoid spots with standing water in the summer. They are perennial in zones 7-9 and also do very well in pots.
After Blooming: The foliage will naturally grow throughout the winter and will stay green all summer long with irrigation. Allow the foliage to die back on its own, since it is gathering the energy the bulbs need for next year's blooms.