River Lily

Striking blooms open throughout autumn.
Long after most flowers have come and gone during the season, the brilliant red to crimson blooms of this attractive variety are just opening along the length of their spikes. As many as 14 of the outward-facing, star-shaped flowers, measuring 6–7 cm wide, grow like glads on one side of their leafless racemes. The flower spikes rise from appealing clumps of green, swordlike leaves. River Lily is native to stream banks and other damp areas of South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, so it prefers growing in somewhat fertile and moist (but well-drained) soil that should not be allowed to dry out. Plants are deer resistant and simple to grow.