White, off-white flowers - Plant Encyclopedia Results (Page 190)

Various members of the genus may bloom spring only or repeat and continue into autumn, often a few days after rainstorms thus one of the common names, Rain Lily. Most are spring or summer flowering.

Cultivation from seed is easy in this group. Seeds are papery and can be floated but they sprout very easily sown under just a thin covering of sowing medium. Sow the seeds in a well-drained mix and keep in a warm place. The seedlings will grow well in warm weather and respond well to fertilizer. As with any papery seeded amaryllids, these have a relatively short viability period.

Zephyranthes pulchella - Showy Zephyrlily - is found in the coastal prairies and wet roadsides of eastern Texas and Gulf Coast Louisiana. The leaves grow through the winter and spring and die off in summer; flowering occurs in autumn. Leaves are linear and sedge-like and flowers are golden yellow. Pulchella means "pretty". These spectacular rain lilies growing in the highway medians near Refugio, Texas, on the east coast of that state. The glossy green leaves serve as a nice foil to the bright yellow flowers that are held just atop the foliage. The vigorously multiplying clumps flower for us from late summer into fall.

Zephyranthes flowers are very similar to Habranthus flowers and both are called rain lilies. Habranthus flowers point upward BUT at an angle and have unequal stamens, and Zephyranthes flowers point straight up and have equal stamens. Zephyranthes flowers tend to be star shaped and Habranthus have somewhat irregular flowers. Additionally, the seeds of Habranthus are slightly winged (and thicker).

See Article about Zephyranthes.

Z. strateumatica, has become naturalized in southern Florida after being introduced into the area as an adventive with Centipede Grass from China (this is where the Florida nickname "Centipede Grass Orchid" came from for this species.) Looks too nice to be just a weed! It emerges in winter, blooming in late December and January; within a few weeks, the plants vanish. The following year, they may return, and from the same root a new plant will grow next to the previous one.

This is the smallest of the beehive gingers.

The zinnia is a bushy annual flower native to Mexico. It grows in any type of soil, though it prefers well-drained, sandy loam, and it is fairly drought tolerant once established.

Zinnias come in many colors and sizes, making this a great choice for adding a splash of color in your garden. Low-growing varieties only a foot tall and wide can be used as a groundcover. Higher growing varieties can reach up to five feet and make a great backdrop for other flowering plants. The flowers, however, remain small, ranging from one and a half to three inches across.

Most zinnias love full sun, although some of the larger varieties such as Zinnia angustifolia will tolerate some shade. They should be watered regularly, with an inch of water every week in hot weather, and every two to three weeks in cooler conditions. Deadheading (removing spent flowers) will encourage more blooms, but is optional.

Zinnias come in a variety of colors, including pink, white, off-white, blue, lavender, purple, red, crimson, and yellow or orange. The colors may be solid or variegated. Zinnias are attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators, so this is a great way to attract them to your garden.

To grow Zinnia sp. in cold regions, select varieties that can tolerate colder temperatures. Choose a variety that is hardy to USDA Zone 9-11. Plant in a pot that can be moved indoors in winter and set outdoors in spring. Use a well-draining potting mix and water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out before watering again. Make sure the pot has ample drainage holes to prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged. Place the pot in a sunny spot and provide plenty of airflow to prevent fungal diseases. Deadheads the flowers regularly to encourage new blooms.

Ziziphus celata is a small spiny shrub that is usually less than 2 meters tall. Clusters of highly fragrant tiny green flowers are borne in winter, and grape-sized, yellow-orange fruit develop in spring. It is a terrestrial flowering plant endemic to central Florida.

Ziziphus celata is listed as an endangered species in the United States.