Amaryllis Belladonna

Amaryllidaceae - The Amaryllis Belladonna

Pretty Amaryllis belladonna can be found in the Western Cape of South Africa and is also known as the naked lady (for its feminine shape and colour) and the March lily. The pale pink, dark pink or white flowers of the Amaryllis belladonna are trumpet-shaped, dangling playfully in big clusters at the end of a long purple and green stem.

Did you know? Amaryllis belladonna is from the Amaryllidaceae family and is known for its delicate beauty and soft, elegant colour of the flower.

The flowers reach up to 10 centimetres long and stand about 50 centimetres from the ground below. Black, shiny anthers come out of each flower, then split open and showcase sticky white pollen. The leaves are long and strappy, and stay green through winter. In summer, they die away.

Use in the garden

The Amaryllis belladonna is simply a pretty addition to the garden. It complements Agapanthus beautifully and is often used in conjunction with this flower. They also attract bees, which are an important part of establishing a healthy, balanced ecology.

Flowering time

The pretty flowers of the Amaryllis belladonna spring into bloom in the late summer months of February and March. During this time, the leaves have died away, giving the flowers the full glory.

Natural distribution

The Amaryllis belladonna grows naturally in the South-western Cape of South Africa. This area is known for its abundance and diversity of flora, and the Amaryllis belladonna is an elegant addition to the gorgeous landscapes that adorn the countryside.

The bulbs do well in arid conditions, often springing up after fires in the bushveld. With all of this natural wealth, there is also a healthy population of insects, birds and other animals that occupy the same natural habitat.

Growing Amaryllis belladonna in your garden

This plant is fairly easy to grow from seed. These seeds take about two weeks to germinate. They require very porous soils, and even do well in rock gardens. The Amaryllis belladonna does particularly well dotted around between conventional ground cover or in pots. Once established, they do not need much care or attention, flourishing on their own. This makes them easy to have in just about any garden.

Propagation

The seeds are naturally released during the winter months by the wind. However, they will only begin flowering in about three to six years. In addition, clumps of Amaryllis belladonna bulbs can be split during the dormant period. This bulb must then be planted immediately with their neck at the same level as the soil. In terms of pollination by insects, bees seem to be the most common contributor to this process.

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