The Last Lily of Summer

                                     The Last Lily of Summer

Dr Abe V Rotor

 

Soon the first rain of May arrives. Rejoice!

Summer soon ends. Streams meet the river.

Fields turn green, so with the hills, pasture;

And this kindly lily is back to long slumber.  

Powderpuff Lily at the Living with Nature garden.  

San Vicente, Ilocos Sur.  Photo by the author 2026

"A stunning flower unfolds during the month of May.  It forms huge red balls, about six inches in diameter, covered with a multitude of delicate miniature blossoms. Although far away from its native homeland, Africa, the powderpuff lily or blood lily, Haemanthus multiflorus, thrives well in the Philippines.  The inflorescence may remind you of a glorified onion.  The gorgeous flowers last about ten days and are rarely seen during other parts of the year."  (Philippine Ornamental Plants by Mona Lisa Steiner 1960)