The first clue that something had changed, was the cooler weather when we arrived back in Texas. After a few days at the farm, I received this e-mail from a customer:
“The Oxblood bulb I bought from you at the garden conference in Prescott, AZ, 2 years ago has finally bloomed. Gorgeous.”
Not long after that, my friends at the Southern Living Plant Collection prepared to write an article on oxblood lilies (Rhodophiala bifida and also called “school house lilies”)and sent it my way for edits. I looked at it, and it reminded me that oxblood lilies were on their way, a true harbinger of fall. I just didn’t realize how close they were!
Later in the week, I corresponded with a friend in South Carolina in regards to a November speaking engagement. I mentioned that I was preparing for a bulb hunt/cabin reception next week, and that I hoped the oxblood lilies and spider lilies would be in bloom. I received this in return from my friend in Charleston.
“…just in from watering the garden and I noticed that my oxblood lilies….are blooming…’school time’ for sure…..”
And then yesterday, Rebecca and I waved goodbye to the UPS man who picked up the spider lily orders we rushed to fill, and as he was pulling out, it caught my eye. The red, the only thing red in the field, was popping up. Our first oxblood lily bloom of the year!
But, I left my camera on the farm, so you will have to wait and see a picture of that particular bulb later!
Awoke this morning, and stepped outside and was shocked by the almost cold weather. In the distance I heard my first Canada geese of the season! Fall is on the way.
These oxblood lilies (Rhodophiala bifida) bloomed out of the ground several years ago.
Chris Wiesinger, the Bulb Hunter, founded The Southern Bulb Company to share his finds with the world. 
I saw some oxblood lilies blooming in a friends yard here in Austin today!!