Named after the late South African botanist Peter MacOwan, Crinum macowanii is a superb African native bulb (South Africa and East Africa) that has performed exceptionally well in our hot, humid climate. The rosettes of glaucous, blue-green, wavy foliage are topped all summer with 2′ tall stalks, adorned with terminal clusters of large, sweetly-fragrant white flowers with pink-flushed, pink-keeled backs. The flowers emerge facing outward and become pendent with age for an interesting contrast. Moist soils are best, although Crinum macowanii is quite drought tolerant for extended periods. Crinum macowanii is also used to treat a number of ailments including tuberculosis, bladder and kidney infections, rashes and sores, rheumatic fever, back pain, and yes, venereal disease. Who needs a doctor when you can grow crinums?
