The first chapter of Scott Ogden’s wonderful little book Garden Bulbs for the South is about the amazing day in late August or September after thundershowers have drenched the parched land.

The electrical storms bring nitrogen from the atmosphere in the spattering drops of rain. Rain lilies know the difference between this thunderstorm water and the bland effluent from the hose. They have patiently reserved their blooms for the real thing.

These miniatures have sputtered in flower all summer, but nothing like what is to be. Five days after the deluge comes a miracle of the floral year: rain lily day. On this prodigal morning every unspent Zephyranthes and Hebranthus in the garden explodes in blossom.

Today is rain lily day. There may be even more in bloom tomorrow, but today was the day they noticeably seemed to be everywhere. On the way to work I saw hundreds of them sticking their heads above the mown grass along the side of the Tollway. Mostly they are white but there is a house down the street from me with a lawn full of pale yellow ones. We just have the small common white ones ourselves. Luckily the grass was just mowed because now I can leave it for awhile. Otherwise I would risk chopping some down.

Ogden’s book is arranged chronilogically through a year in the garden. I like it that it begins with rain lily day. Here no doubt there are still a few hot afternoons to come, but the evenings have started to cool and the garden is coming to life again.