CRINUM asiaticum

Fabulous and original exotic bulbous, perennial and evergreen, with fast growth and a bushy posture, of Asian origins: at the maximum of its growth it can reach 150 cm in height and almost the same size in width. Equipped with a particularly developed underground organ (a bulb of about 15 cm), it has a short stem covered by old leaf sheaths: leaves, erect or slightly arched, bright and fleshy, linear lanceolate, with smooth edges and acute apex, glabrous and light green colored, crown the stem neatly arranged in a rosette. From the beginning of summer numerous sturdy stems sprout ending with large hemispherical inflorescences composed of white starry flowers with very narrow petals and a delicate scent perceptible especially at night: they are followed by abundant and heavy fruits containing at most 3 seeds, which, when dry flower scape touches the ground, can spread easily and naturally.

It prefers sunny positions or only partial shade; it adapts to any soil, but prefers humid and well-drained ones. It tolerates periods of drought but benefits from constant summer wetting; it fears the salinity of the sea winds of the coastal locations which can damage its delicate leaves. It resists winter minimum temperatures only a few degrees below zero, which in any case can already cause transient damage to the foliage: therefore, where the cold is intense and there are also prolonged conditions of high atmospheric humidity it is better to place it in a sheltered place, mulching it abundantly with bark, leaves or straw or giving it shelter in a cool and bright environment in winter. It does not require special attentions; in spring, at the vegetative restart, it may be useful to cut any dry, old, damaged, broken or cluttered leaves. Plant of great ornamental and landscape value, it can embellish any terrace and balcony where it can be grown in large pots or containers; in the open ground, both a single plant and a set of wisely arranged specimens in a large flowerbed can give even the most anonymous corner of our garden a markedly tropical flavor.