Amaryllis belladonna
Description
The Amaryllis belladonna is renowned for its beautiful flowers and grown all over the world although it is indigenous to South Africa and typically grows in the South Western Cape among rocky terrain, in small, dense groups. It is said that when the flowering stems of this bulb emerges from the bare ground then summer is coming to an end (February and March).The bulb that emerges is large, brown, and rounded, and grows at a moderate rate. From this bulb emerges clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers, typically pink or white (can include dark pink), numbering up to twelve flowers per stem. They are scented and carried on long green and purplish-red stems which appear about 50cm above the ground. The center of each flower contains its reproductive organs and creates masses of sticky white pollen. The leaves are deciduous, meaning they shed annually, and are produced after flowering. They can be described as strap-like, as they are long and narrow and quite erect. They remain green throughout the winter and die back in the summer when the bulb becomes dormant.
The Amaryllis belladonna is related to various other genera in this family which is found in Southern Africa and have horticultural importance such as the Clivia. There remains speculation regarding the lily’s pollinators, some believing that the hawk moth or carpenter bees could be responsible. In the Cape Peninsula, bees are the main pollinators.
The lily is well suited to a rocky garden and can also be mixed between other plants with evergreen leaves, such as the Agapanthus, to provide some extra foliage for the bare flowers of the Amaryllis belladonna. They are also happy surrounded by ground cover or mixed annual or herbaceous borders. They are also often grown in large pots and can tolerate arid conditions. If plants are kept in dark shade they will have trouble producing blooms and remain mostly barren. The only threat to the Amaryllis belladonna is a caterpillar called the lily borer which bores into the leaves and stems of the plant. They can be removed by hand. Make sure to check between leaves for any hiding critters and cut off any affected foliage.
Photo: CC BY Jacqui Geux - source: https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/33064835
Propagation instructions - seeds
Propagating a lily from its seed takes more time than other methods. After the flower has faded you will notice a seed pod forming at the base of the flower. This pod should be allowed to mature and turn brown and then seeds should be collected. The seeds are soft and fleshy, with a pink or white colouring. They should be sown in a well-drained potting mix and covered lightly in a cool and dark place for 12 weeks. Thereafter, the container should be kept. In a warm location with bright, indirect light and the soil should be kept moist. Seedlings will emerge in about two weeks. It is important to note that Amaryllis belladonna seedlings will only produce their first blooms 3-5 years after germination.
A quicker propagation method is planting bulbs and offsets. Bulbs should be covered up to their necks in soil. Plant the bulbs about 10cm apart. If you want to transplant them, do it in the Autumn after the plant has flowered.
Sources and references
Scientific name
Amaryllis belladonna
Common name(s)
March lily
Conservation status
LC Least Concern