Day 11: Opening Day
Both of the Crinum augustum 'Queen Emma' were gifted to me by a neighbor. There is one in the front garden and one in the back garden. And there are two smaller ones that were pups of the largest one in the front garden as well.
They were all settled in to their new home in September after being dug up and transplanted into my garden. At the time of their relocation they each had stalks of buds that never fully opened due to the adjustment they were making from my neighbor's garden to mine. They are enormous magenta colored stalks that shoot out of the enormous leaves randomly.
Once they pop open it takes about 4-5 days for them to completely evolve. Within each singular bud is so many smaller buds that take a few days to fully produce their large splash of mini lilies combined into one.
I thought for sure I would have to wait until next year to see any blooms on the newly sited plants.
You can imagine my excitement this week when buds on both Giant Crinums opened up assuring me they are quite happy in their new home. And have I mentioned the remarkable fragrance they generate? It is outstandingly fresh and lemony and can be detected from several feet away.
These plants are bringing so much joy to my December garden. The gifts that keep on giving.
Good news from heaven the angels bring,
Glad tidings to the earth they sing:
To us this day a child is given,
To crown us with the joy of heaven.
Martin Luther
