Pancratium maritimum
Sea Daffodil, Sea Lily, Sand Lily, Havatselet ha'SharonFamily: Amaryllidaceae
Origin: Mediterranean coast
Pancratium maritimum (Sea Daffodil) is a small plantthat stands 2-5 feet tall, native to the Mediterranean coast. It is an ethnomedical plant, valued for its therapeutic properties and is a popular seaside plant. Highly fragrant flowers emerge at the tail end of summer, creating a delightful experience for the senses. The Sea Daffodil is quite tolerant of salt and humid conditions making it an ideal choice for seaside gardens. It thrives in climates where temperatures are mild and it enjoys full sun exposure.
This small bulbous plant does well in USDA Zones 8-10. In cold regions, it is best to keep the plant in a pot and bring it inside when temperatures drop. When planting outdoors, make sure the soil where you place it is light and well drained. In dry climates, it prefers moderate amounts of water. On hot days, dappled shade will help protect it from strong midday sun.
The Sea Daffodil is a stunning and fragrant choice for the garden, adding a little bit of the Mediterranean coast to your landscape. With the right growing conditions, it will reward you with years of enjoyment.
It is assumed that "Sharon" refers to the Havatselet ha'Sharon plant in the Sharon plain in Israel. The flower of this plant the Hinano Shani (Hebrew for Sea Daffodil) was thought to be the flower in the Song of Songs (verse 2:1)."I am a flower of Sharon, a lily of the valley"
