Many folks in the South simply refer to crinum lilies as "lilies" because they pretty much took their place in cemeteries and cottage gardens alike. And there's certainly nothing wrong with calling them such, as the word crinum comes from the Greek word for lily, krinon .

In my mind, no flower quite embodies Texas like a crinum. They are larger than life, tougher than a boot and so loud they border on obnoxious. Crinums are large bulbs that produce lush mounds of foliage in full sun, topped by clusters of showy flowers. Many are fragrant in myriad degrees. They are to the South what peonies are to the North: long-lived, bold perennials, often passed down from one generation to the next. Like peonies, they make excellent cut flowers.

I fell in love with crinums at an early age. My grandparents had bold clumps of fragrant, maroon-striped milk-and-wine lilies (Crinum x herbertii) on either side of the front porch where I now live. As we'd sit on the porch in the evenings, their fragrance drifted through the yard attracting large, bumbling hawk moths.

Although I adore the smell now, at the time it seemed sort of sickly-sweet and too much like my mom's hand lotion.

It's impossible to smell the fragrance now without feeling as if I'm sitting on that porch with them, watching lightning bugs dance on the community picnic grounds across the way – one of those scenes that seems insignificant when they are free and plentiful, but priceless when they are gone.

The beauty of crinums is the fact they will be with you forever.

My dear friend and mentor, Dr. William C. Welch at Texas A&M University, first penned the line that "no crinum has ever died" and, except for the cold-tender, tropical species, it's pretty darned true. Let's put it this way: If you ever kill one, I certainly wouldn't announce it at your next garden party.

Due to their huge, water-conserving bulbs, they are known for surviving decades (and even centuries) in untended country cemeteries and abandoned home sites.

All they really require is full sun and seasonal rainfall.

They are perfect as specimen plants providing pockets of color here and there, as bold sweeps in the landscape and as members of mixed-perennial borders, providing spectacular cut flowers during their summer blooming season.

If you don't know crinums, you should make their acquaintance. They are priceless Southern heirlooms.

Horticulturist Greg Grant of Arcadia is co-author of Home Landscaping ­ Texas and The Southern Heirloom Garden.

'Cecil Houdyshel’: A light pink trumpet type that produces more blooms than any crinum I grow.

‘Ellen Bosanquet’: This antique treasure has beautiful, dark pink flowers and was Grandmother Emanis’ favorite. It tolerates a bit of shade.

’Milk and Wine lily’ (Crinum x herbertii): Any striped crinum goes by this name, and there are dozens to choose from. Some say they are gaudy, but where I live that’s a compliment.

‘Mrs. James Hendry’: This cherished beauty is Dr. William C. Welch’s favorite. The pale pink flowers smell like Fruit Froot Loops and perfume.

‘Royal White’: A fragrant, spidery Texas classic that blooms in late summer and fall, with pink stripes.

‘Sangria’: This is the only cold-hardy, red-leafed crinum. The medium pink flowers look like nerines, which that we can’t grow.

‘White Queen’: A classic from This Luther Burbank, it classic has beautiful, white, reflexed trumpets and was once lost from the trade. Welcome back.

LushLife Nurseries, 803-765-9686; Jenksfarmer.com

Marcelle’s Crinums, 409-769-3585; marcellescrinums.com

Plant Delights Nursery, 919-772-4794; plantdelights.com

The Southern Bulb Co., 866-406-2852; Southernbulbs.com

Yucca Do Nursery, 979-826-4580; Yuccado.com

Bulbs for Warm Climates by Thad M. Howard (University of Texas Press, 2001). Dr. Howard is one of the world’s leading experts on rain lilies, crinums and other amaryllids. Since he’s from Texas, his advice is reliable for gardens in zones 7 and 8. Luckily, he’s from Texas.

Garden Bulbs for the South by Scott Ogden (Timber Press, 2007)1994, Taylor Publishing). Revised and expanded, the bulb bible is written in the style of the late, great Southern garden writer, Elizabeth Lawrence. This book should be on every Texas gardener’s bookshelf.