Calostemma purpureum, commonly known as Garland Lily, is a long-lived perennial herb native to open woodlands and grasslands of Australia, particularly in South Australia and New South Wales. It typically grows to a height of 30-60 centimeters. The plant is deciduous, with leaves emerging from the bulb during winter and dying off by spring. The Garland Lily is notable for its flowering habit; it produces flowers during summer when there are no leaves, which is unusual among perennials. The flowers are purple-pink in color and form an umbel of 5-10 showy flowers atop a stalk approximately 30 centimeters long. After the flowering period, in autumn, the plant produces clusters of large, berry-like seeds that may germinate while still attached to the parent plant. Germination is reliable, but it can take several years for a new plant to flower.

The Garland Lily is valued for its unique flowering time, providing color and interest in the garden when few other plants are in bloom. It is used in cultivation for ornamental purposes, often in borders or as a feature plant in rockeries. The plant prefers full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water, thriving in well-drained soils. While it is relatively low maintenance, it is important to avoid overwatering, which can lead to bulb rot. The Garland Lily is now considered rare in the wild due to habitat loss from urbanization and grazing, making its cultivation in gardens even more significant for conservation purposes.CC BY-SA 4.0