“Rain Lilies”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
We still are not having a lot of rain, but the rain lilies are starting to bloom better than ever. These sweet little flowers seem to need at least one good rain shower to start blooming, and they certainly did get that almost two weeks ago. I still have to water the garden, and I am sure that is contributing to the blooms, but I have done that in previous years and still did not get many flowers.
These small bulbs are adapted to containers where I had mine for years, but I eventually planted them in the garden in the very front of the border. The leaves are about twelve inches long and remind me of teeny, tiny amaryllis foliage. The flowers are about three inches across and are held up by stems about nine inches high. So, you can see this must be placed where they can be seen and not hidden behind taller plants.
The last few years, I have not had many blooms from my rain lilies which was very disappointing. This year, however, for whatever reasons, they are starting to bloom so much more. I wish I knew why, so that I could repeat the conditions every year. I guess Mother Nature can be unpredictable.
Always Growing 
mothernaturesgarden said,
July 22, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I miss those delightful little lilies since I moved.
Donna
Jan said,
July 31, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Donna, they certainly are sweet little flowers, and I love the way they just pop up all of a sudden.
Janet said,
July 22, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Jan, they are sure pretty. How tall it the flower stalk? Trying to ID a lily at the ballet studio.
Jan said,
July 31, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Janet, the flower stalk is about nine inches high. Hope this helps.
jodi (bloomingwriter) said,
July 22, 2009 at 9:16 pm
I can certainly send some rain your way, Jan, if you’d like, because we’ve had more than enough. Today, it was downright tropical.
Jan said,
July 31, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Jodi, it seems that just about everyone is dissatisfied with their weather. Either its too hot or too cold, too dry or too rainy. This has been a strange summer.
Randy said,
July 23, 2009 at 7:31 am
Jamies, been talking about adding some rain lilies. Maybe we will put them in the new bed.
Jan said,
July 31, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Randy, you will love rain lilies. So small, but a good size flower. I like the surprise of them just showing up when you least suspect them to.
sallysmom said,
July 23, 2009 at 9:16 am
I have the white rain lilies and mine will not bloom unless it rains. It makes me wonder what is in their genes.
Jan said,
July 31, 2009 at 8:14 pm
It is strange how it takes a shower to get them started blooming. I have only seen the white ones in books, never in person. I bet they are pretty.
Sweet Bay said,
July 23, 2009 at 4:22 pm
That pink Rain Lily is beautiful!
Jan said,
July 31, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Thanks, they do make a rainy day seem better because you know in a day or two you will have these pretty flowers in the garden.