They'll survive the winter better if you plant them in the ground (I'm assuming from the height that they're C. asiaticum, procerum, or one of the larger species/hybrids, most of which are a little on the tender side in zone 8), but for now, they can be potted, as well. Whichever you choose, you can cut back the foliage (but not into the "trunk", if it's one of those varieties) in order to keep the plant from being top heavy. Some of it may brown off naturally, depending on how many roots were lost in the transplanting. Make sure to keep the plants watered heavily right now - if they're potted, it won't hurt them at all to stand in a tub of water, as long as it's warm outside. Just be careful not to start a mosquito farm - I sometimes use plastic barrel liners with holes drilled halfway up the side (and not in the bottom) for potting these, since that method assures constant water at the roots, but doesn't leave exposed, standing water.

I would love some of your lilies if you still have any. I have columbine that like the shade but it's still kind of early for them here. I do have tons of seeds if there is anything that you'd like or I would be happy to pay for the plants/postage. Our daughter is lily crazy and her husband is out of work so I'm trying to find any kind of lily to cheer her up and build her a pretty garden. :)

From Solutionsforyourlife.com Use and Management Well-suited to hot, dry locations, Crinum Lilies grow from what are among the largest true bulbs, some weighing over 40-pounds. Forming large clumps, Crinums should have plenty of growing room in full or partial sun on well-drained soils, and are moderately salt-tolerant. Crinums recover quickly from killing frosts in USDA hardiness zones 8b and 9. Species have blooms of white, pink, or rose, while others are striped with white and carmine, the so-called milk-and-wine lilies. Plants are available with maroon leaves at some nurseries. Figure 3. Foliage of Crinum Lily. Crinum x powelli cultivar 'Cecil Houdyshel' has fragrant, rosy-pink flowers. Crinum moorei, with a rose-red flower, is available in the cultivar 'Album' with white flowers and 'Roseum' with pink flowers. Crinum latifolium var. zeylanicum is the milk-and-wine lily. Crinums are best divided during the winter when not actively growing. The large clump is simply lifted and some of the offshoot bulbs removed. Crinum is a very sturdy plant and is only occasionally bothered by caterpillars or other chewing insects. Pests and Diseases No diseases are of major concern, but leaf spots could occur in moist shaded areas. Also read on another link here that Crinums resent being planted or transplanted ( root disturbance ) and can sometimes take 2-3 years to bloom. Here is a link that might be useful: Crinum spp. Crinum Lily

I am another one to find this blog really really late. I just moved south from the Philly area and am just nuts about the pink crinum lilies =ever since I saw them in a garden tour here in beaufort, SC. I drive down to Delray Beach to take care of my mother in law's house several times a year and if anyone out there has some to share I would love to come a get a couple. Susan