Hymenocallis liriosme began to bloom this evening just as the rain began.
It’s now pouring out its scent.

For me, the scent of Hymenocallis has a wonderful tropical quality. Yes, I
know that that's an idiotic thing to say: no doubt there are those who think
the Thai fish sauce nam pla has a tropical quality, too. But that's just one
of those things we say, and I'll bet that a lot of you know what I mean
without further explanation. Earlier this year there were the various Ismene
sorts which produced this scent in abundance. The scents produced by these
Ismene sorts is not exactly like that of Hymenocallis liriosme, but there is
a sort of family resemblance.

My first bulb of Hymenocallis liriosme came years ago from Zephyr Gardens.
The current one is also from a Texas source, as if to keep the tradition
going. I’ve been growing this one in a pot, but I’ll bet it would survive
the winter here easily near a wall. Unfortunately, all of the sunny wall
space here is already occupied.

I’m also nursing along a tiny plant of what is supposed to be Hymenocallis
occidentalis: the years are adding up but so far there is not much action.

On a related note: last fall I planted three Pancratium maritimum in the
protected cold frame. They did not produce foliage then or since. But I
expect them to do so this fall. I have yet to see a member of this genus in
flower, so the anticipation is building. Who else is growing Pancratium?

Jim McKenney
jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com
Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, 39.03871º North, 77.09829º West, USDA zone
7, where the first Lycoris can't be too far off.
My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/
BLOG! http://mcwort.blogspot.com/

Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS
Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/

Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/

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