Crinum bulbispermum 'Jumbos' - (Jumbo hybrids)

The first Crinum bulbispermum Jumbos were hybrids produced by Mr. Hannibal; he described them as fourth generation hybrids.  They are C. bulbispermum-like in the foliage with blue-green or gray-green leaves, but have flowers with colors not found in the wild. 

They are called "Jumbo" hybrids because individual plants can grow large in the garden, much larger than locally found, naturalized C. bulbispermum-like plants or even garden-grown, putative, wild-type C. bulbispermum plants. The original Jumbos from Mr. Hannibal do not produce offsets.   Their large size and lack of offsets makes them useful as long-term landscape plants; they may be 50% larger (eventually) than a typical garden C. bulbispermum.  Additionally, the plants retain a neat and attractive shape without dozens of offsets producing a leafy confusion.  Marcelle and Mr. Hannibal have used these plants in numerous crosses.

Jumbos were originally rose-colored, or pink-striped.   However, in crosses, backcrosses, and self-crosses of the various hybrids, Marcelle produced some plants with blooms that opened nearly white (very palest of pink), but which would darken to a rose color on day two. 
 
Jumbos almost never produce offsets, rather they grow and produce huge, single bulbs.  They set seed reliably and make good parents in many crosses because offspring often inherit the durability of C. bulbispermum, as well as the scape strength, flower substance, and large numbers of flowers that are typical for the Jumbo plants.

Jumbo crossed with Jumbo will produce Jumbo-like plants.  Outcrossed offspring may have blue-green leaves (as does C. bulbispermum) or may have green leaves more typical of other Crinum species; such progeny may striped flowers or flowers of solid color.

C. bulbispermum Jumbo hybrid with pink keels, Sheppard seedling (unnamed)

Typical C. bulbispermum Jumbo hybrid (unnamed seedling). 

Typical C. bulbispermum Jumbo hybrid (unnamed seedling)

After years of breeding and selecting: this plant produces the best dark-rose colored flowers of all the C. bulbispermum Jumbo hybrids. Marcelle has not named it; if she judges it gardenworthy she will give it a name.

C. bulbispermum Jumbo hybrid: dark flowers with white tips.  Actual color of flowers is rose-red, not true red.  Flowers open pale and darken (except tips) on day 2 or 3. 

Mixed seedlings:  C. bulbispermum Jumbo types crossed with each other.