I have 3 babies from Crinum 'Ellen Bosanquet' (Crinum Lily) Sun to Part SunZone: 6b-10 24" tall Origin: Hybrid This is still considered one of the finest crinum lilies for the home garden. This vigorously multiplying hybrid (possibly C. 'JC Harvey' x C. scabrum) was hybridized in Florida during the 1920s by Louis Bosanquet and named after his wife. C. 'Ellen Bosanquet' begins flowering in mid-June and continues through most of the summer. The large, reddish-purple flowers, on 2' stalks, emit a delightful spicy fragrance. The rosette of wavy, glossy, tropical-looking foliage is a great addition to the garden, even without the flowers.

This is growing in zone 10 (south of Los Angeles). You can't tell in the picture but it's in a spot that receives shade for almost half the day, including the late afternoon. During the winter season that location gets maybe only 3 or 4 hours of direct sunlight. This might be the reason for its success. The bush has gotten fairly big and, as you can see, there are lots of blooms on it right now. Surprisingly doesn't seem to require much watering, it's in hard clay soil. I can't say it's the most fragrant lilac I've ever smelled though, but it's okay. I too am a little surprised, I had read that lilacs require some chill, or at least take some special care to grow in low chill climates. Maybe it's because lilac is closely related to olive, so is a little more adaptable to lower chill climate conditions (even though it prefers higher chill climates).

Dear all, Thank you very much for your thought about Lilac and California Lilac. I had tried Lavender Lady when I started gardening, about 7 years ago. Being such a gardening newbie, I planted in full sun because "tag said full sun"! Needless to say, it was too much sun to this poor Southern Lavender did not make it. I also tried Texas Mountain Laurel, and I ended up pulling it because of the slow growth. It sit on the site for about 2 years and refused to grow for me. I planted Gardenia (Augustus) in the same hole, and this one is growing no problem. I guess I will stock up Lavender scented candles and be content.

Thank you Sue, and I was thinking just the opposite. I like the look of everyone else's. I thought my opacity or something else just was not right. Carol