ZEPHYRANTHES. The Americas. Rain lily. Bulbous perennials of the Amaryllis family, most of them quite attractive and easily grown. The bulbs in most species produce numerous offsets each year, quickly forming dense clumps. Each shoot consists of a few rush-like to grassy leaves and one to several cupped or trumpet shaped flowers borne on individual stems. Colors range from white to yellow, orange and rose. Some bloom seasonally. Others respond to a good rain or watering after a period of drought (thus the common name). Sun or light shade, most soils, moderate to occasional watering. The following are hardy to 0^oF or below.

atamasco. Atamasco lily. A friend, Alice Harper, brought this back from a trip through the southeastern U.S., where she found it growing along roadsides. I have been enchanted with it ever since. It is evergreen in mild climates, with usually 6-12" narrow, channeled, blue green leaves. Poking up from the ground at odd intervals are snow-white, upturned trumpets, up to 3" long, which open from pale pink buds. This is a fine pot and rock garden plant. Sun, most soils, moderate watering.

candida. Zephyr lily. An evergreen species with 8-12" rush-like, bright green leaves. In late summer and fall it carries many 1½" to 2" white, crocus shaped blossoms. A beautiful plant for rock gardens and containers. Sun or light shade, most soils, moderate watering (a short summer drought will promote heavier blooming).