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Crinum Alba

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Crinum Alba (Crinum powellii alba) is a standout choice for any garden, featuring large, fragrant white blooms and lush, strappy green foliage that instantly elevate your space. Blooming from late summer through autumn, this tropical beauty adds elegance to garden beds, pots, containers, and cut flower arrangements, thriving in part shade with well-draining, fertile soil. Crinum alba can be grown in all climates but thrives in warm temperate to tropical regions. This plant flourishes best when left undisturbed, allowing it to develop fully and showcase its striking beauty while attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.

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Description

What is Crinum Alba?

Crinum alba is a robust, bulbous perennial from the Amaryllidaceae family, admired for its large, fragrant white blooms and lush foliage. Native to South Africa, Crinum alba adds exotic charm to garden beds, borders, or containers. It blooms from late summer through autumn, making it an ideal focal point.

Crinum alba produces tall flower spikes, reaching up to 1 metre, with trumpet-shaped white blossoms. These beautiful flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity. Its large, strappy leaves grow in a rosette shape, adding a tropical touch to the landscape.

Suitable Climates

Crinum alba can be grown in all climates but thrives in warm temperate, Mediterranean, semi-arid, arid, subtropical, and tropical climates. It is frost-sensitive and may struggle in harsh frosts. To protect it during winter, it’s best grown in pots that can be moved into a greenhouse or conservatory. Alternatively, if planted in the ground, bulbs can be dug up and placed in pots over winter to avoid frost damage. However, since Crinum alba prefers to be planted in a semi-permanent position, it will take time to establish again if moved.

Dormancy and Growing Seasons

Crinum alba remains evergreen in warmer climates but goes dormant in cooler regions, typically in winter. If the plant stays evergreen, maintain regular care and watering. If you notice signs of dormancy—such as yellowing foliage or wilting—reduce watering and allow it to rest in a cool, dry place until spring. This helps the bulbs conserve energy, preparing them for vibrant growth and flowering as warmer months return.

Planting Guide

Time: Plant Crinum alba from March to November to allow sufficient time for root establishment.

Cooler Climates (Pots): Use large, deep pots with well-draining potting soil enriched with compost. Place in a part shade spot and move to a sheltered area during winter. Plant bulbs with their necks just below the soil surface, and water lightly after planting.

Warmer and Arid Climates (Garden Beds): Plant in a semi-permanent, partly shaded, and well-drained location. Prepare the soil a few weeks before planting with well-rotted manure. Space bulbs at least 60 cm apart to allow for mature growth, placing them with their necks just below the soil surface and watering lightly.

Aftercare for Crinum Alba

Once established, Crinum alba is low maintenance:

Watering: Water regularly during the blooming season to keep the soil moist but well-drained. While drought-tolerant once established, it prefers consistent moisture during blooming and growing periods, requiring occasional watering during dry spells or if it remains evergreen. If it goes dormant, reduce watering. Let the soil dry slightly to conserve energy.

Fertilising: Apply a general-purpose fertiliser every spring as new growth emerges to support foliage and flowering.

Mulching: In warmer or semi-arid climates, apply mulch to keep moisture in during dry periods and insulate the roots from temperature fluctuations.

Dividing Crinum Alba

Crinum alba performs best when left undisturbed but may need division every few years if bulbs become overcrowded or flowering declines:

When to Divide: Divide in late autumn or spring during dormancy.

How to Divide: Gently lift the bulbs and separate the offsets by hand. Replant immediately or wait until early spring in cooler regions. Minimise disturbance, as Crinum alba takes time to establish after being moved.

Storage

If Crinum alba bulbs cannot be planted immediately, store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Avoid damp spaces and check bulbs periodically to ensure they remain firm and dry.

Pests and Diseases

Crinum alba is generally resistant to pests, though slugs and snails may target young shoots. Good air circulation helps prevent fungal issues, especially in humid conditions.

Toxicity

Crinum alba contains alkaloids that are toxic if ingested by humans or pets. Keep bulbs and plants out of reach of children and pets, and wear gloves if you have sensitive skin.

CAUTION: Harmful if eaten.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Additional information

Price Code

B – Aqua Pack

Botanical Name

Crinum powellii alba

Quantity in Pack

1 Bulb

Flowering Time

Summer

Planting Time

March till November

Growing Height

Up to 1 metre

Planting Depth

Plant just below the soil level.

Soil

Plant in well-drained, fertile soil. A few weeks before planting, enrich the soil with well-rotted manure or compost and incorporate blood and bone or a complete fertiliser. For pots, use high-quality potting soil and mix in compost, blood and bone, or a complete fertiliser for optimal growth.

How to Plant

Once the soil is enriched with well-rotted manure, blood and bone, or a complete fertiliser, dig a hole deep enough for the bulb’s neck to be just below the soil surface. Cover the bulb and water lightly after planting. For potted Crinums, select a large, deep pot to accommodate both the bulb’s mature size and deep roots. Position the bulb with its neck just below the soil surface, ensuring ample space for root growth, and water lightly.

Fertilise

A few weeks before planting, enrich the soil with well-rotted manure, compost, and either blood and bone or a complete fertiliser. Additionally, apply a general purpose fertiliser each spring as new growth emerges to support foliage and flowering.

Watering

Water lightly after planting, then maintain regular watering during the blooming season to keep the soil moist but well-drained. While drought-tolerant once established, Crinum alba prefers consistent moisture during its blooming and growing periods, requiring occasional watering during dry spells or if it remains evergreen. Planting in areas that receive regular moisture during the blooming period can help ensure adequate hydration. However, be cautious, as overly wet soil can lead to bulb rot; incorporating sand or perlite into the soil can improve drainage.

Pruning

Crinum alba generally requires minimal pruning, but light maintenance can enhance its appearance and promote overall health. Removing spent flowers helps keep the plant tidy. Additionally, if any leaves become yellowed or damaged, they can be trimmed back to maintain the plant's aesthetics and prevent disease. However, avoid trimming too much at once, as excessive pruning can stress the plant. While Crinum alba does not respond well to frequent disturbance, occasional trimming helps the plant focus its energy on producing vigourous growth. Regular monitoring for any necessary clean-up contributes to its overall performance and vibrant presence in the garden.

Crinum alba may require division if signs of overcrowding appear. Ideally, divide the bulbs in late autumn or early spring. In cooler climates, you can divide them in late autumn and store them over winter to protect against frost. Gently lift the bulbs, separate the offsets by hand, and either replant immediately or wait until early spring in cooler regions. Since Crinum alba does not respond well to frequent disturbances, it’s best to minimise disruption, as they can take some time to establish again after being moved.

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