Oxblood Lily”" or "Schoolhouse Lily

Description:

The flowers appear on a single “bald” stalk in the fall. The stalk is often accompanied by two long leaves. After the flowers die, the rest of the foliage begins to appear. The foliage grows into a clump of long, thin, deep green leaves that resemble mondo or liriope that lasts until June. After that, the foliage dies back and the bulbs become dormant.

Habitat:

Wildlife habitat yard.

Notes:

Originally a native of Argentina, these naturalized bulbs were introduced to Texas by German settlers. The name refers to the vermilion red, amaryllis-like flowers they produce. These are tough plants that will naturalize in almost all locations. Although they will grow almost anywhere, the flowers hold up best when planted in partial shade to full sun. After flowering, they send up strappy, bright green foliage which matures in the heat of the following summer or late spring. You can leave Oxblood lilies undivided for years, and they will come back every year with the fall rains. They bloom around September and their foliage remains green all winter.