Cypella herbertii

This little-known but easy-to-grow South American bulb has been a trooper in our garden, despite our baking heat and wretched humidity. From April through most of the summer, the 1" wide, short, pleated foliage is overshadowed by the nearly-naked flower stems. The mass of flower stems is topped with ornate, three-petaled, yellow-orange, goblet-shaped flowers (resembling tigridias; for the less horticulturally inclined...patriot hats). Although each Cypella herbertii flower only lasts a couple of days, a mass of flowers is truly a welcomed spot of color, day after day. A sunny, well-drained location will yield best results.