Amaryllis

Amaryllis is a genus of just two species from South Africa – Amaryllis belladonna and the phenomenally rare Amaryllis paradisicola, the latter being limited to one known locality in Namaqualand.

The name Amaryllis has been confused with Hippeastrum and countless years of botanical argument have failed to make things clearer. In short, the two African plants are now Amaryllis and all of the so-called south American “amaryllis” species are in fact Hippeastrum.

If your garden is suitable then Amaryllis belladonna can be grown in a warm, sunny, well-drained location. Dig a 30cm deep hole and enrich the soil with organic matter then replace 20cm of soil, plant the bulbs (with the tips just sticking out of the ground) placed 10-15 cm apart, cover and leave. They perform best in dryish soils and sun. They hate disturbance – fuss them and they will not flower. Although dense clumps can be de-congested a little when essential. Amaryllis paradisicola needs different conditions and is NEVER a garden plant in any way, in the UK at least.

Amaryllis belladonna has not been considered fully hardy throughout the UK, but they will grow and flower outside, unprotected, here in Wrexham though we prefer to keep our most valuable forms under cold glass.

Available for ordering from both our Autumn and Spring lists.