Zephyranthes minuta

The foliage of all my spring-flowering bulbs is now looking rather tatty and dishevelled; the lovely flowers now just a fading memory. We need to let the foliage die down naturally so that the bulbs can gain sustenance for next year's bloom, however unsightly the ratty brown leaves look just now. It is useful to give them some foliar fertiliser to enhance the process. Despite their short flowering season, bulbs really do bring a fresh note to gardens, and often their blooms have an amazing form and brilliant colour, unmatched by most other plants. Luckily, there are a few bulbs that flower in November to distract us from the sorry sight of the earlier bloomers' demise. One of my favourites is the pretty pink rain lily or 'crocus' (Zephyranthes minuta, syn. Zephyranthes gtandiflora, ht 20-30 cm), with its fleshy pink flowers atop short stems amidst its grassy foliage. The more commonly known white form (Zephyranthes candida) is an autumn bloomer, but like the pink one, seems to respond to rainfalls by flowering, so there are often several flushes of bloom. The welcome rain last week was followed by my first pink rain lily of the season, and these will continue, on and off, until February. Although sometimes called a crocus, it is actually a member of the Amaryllidaceae family of plants, which do so well in our Sydney climate. It multiplies to form a good clump; all of mine came from a single pot given to me many decades ago from a South Coast garden.

Zephyranthes primulina

Zephyranthes primulina

Another species, Zephyranthes primulina, ht 20 cm), also flowers in November, and will continue on and off for several months. This species has thin grassy foliage and soft yellow flowers, and is easily grown in Sydney. It too tends to come into bloom after rain has fallen, and several flushes of flowers can be expected if there a few periods of rain in early summer. Thick clumps of bulbs will form and they can survive in quite dry positions, such as at the base of a hedge. This species produces a lot of seed. It will grow in sun or part-shade and can be cultivated in pots.

Sprekelia formosissima

Sprekelia formosissima

Another lovely and unusual member of the Amaryllidaceae family which has come into bloom over the past few weeks is the Jacobean lily (Sprekelia formosissima, ht 30-45 cm). I am enjoying admiring its brilliant red, narrow-petalled formation, with the appearance of an exotic porcelain orchid. Its common name comes from the flower's resemblance to the red cross of the Spanish order of St Jacob of Calatrava. The friend who gave it to me grew hers in a pot, and it flowered very well. I have mine in a sunny garden bed, with the necks of the bulbs above soil level; like many bulbs in this family, it prefers to be kept fairly dry when it is dormant in autumn and winter. It should be divided only when it is very congested; this is best done in autumn.

Albuca altissima

Albuca altissima

My next November bulb also has an intriguing form, resembling a sort of floral candelabra, and belongs to the Asparagaceae family of plants. It is Albuca nelsonii, ht to 80 cm, from South Africa), with a profusion of unusual, green-striped white flowers: the outer three tepals flare out around the cluster of the inner tepals so it almost looks like a giant snowdrop. They are related to and resemble Ornithogalum, which I have never been successful in growing, though I have occasionally seen clumps of them growing well in nearby suburbs. The bulb sits above the ground and the glossy green strappy leaves are lush all year round. The flowers last well in vases. The bulbs multiply fairly quickly and can be grown in pots. This bulb is very drought tolerant and flowers best in sun but will also do quite well in part shade.

Lilium in the garden of Linda Macaulay in Sydney

Lilium in the garden of Linda Macaulay in Sydney

One bulb that really stands out at the moment is the flamboyant Lilium, which belongs to the Liliaceae family. I always thought they were too tricky to grow in Sydney, but a few years ago I noticed in a garden nearby to me a clump of tall, white-flowered Lilium that flowered magnificently every year at this time and was inspired to put in some myself to give some pizzazz to an area of the garden devoted to white flowers and green-and-white variegated foliage along with dark purple blooms and foliage. I was also given some red ones and a pink one by friends who insisted they would grow, and I have been delighted to discover that I was wrong in thinking they were no good for Sydney gardens! There are many species of Lilium, including the white Lilum longiflorum said to be one of the best species for warmer climates, as well as various hybrids: the Asiatic and the Oriental being the two main categories. The latter are thought to be the most spectacular and have larger flowers and fragrance, which the Asiatics generally lack, though they in turn have the brighter and more varied colours. Hybrids between the two exist, capturing the best of both types! Hybrids with longiflorum in their makeup particularly seem to return year after year in Sydney and make good clumps.

Lilium in my garden

Lilium in my garden

Most Lilium prefer a position in full sun but appreciate some shade around their base; mulching will also help to keep the roots cool and moist. The plants also enjoy air circulation around them. They should be planted in late autumn or winter, and should be put in the ground as soon as you buy them as the bulbs have no protective coating. Watering is important once the foliage has emerged. Use a general-purpose fertiliser at the time of planting, and a high-nitrogen one as the shoots appear. They may need staking to avoid wind damage.

Enjoy the bulbs of November and do let me know of any others in bloom!

Blog first posted 6 November 2011; updated 12 November 2023.