Amaryllis
("Belladonna lily / Naked lady / Amarillo")
Origins:
Native to South Africa, particulary the rocky southwest region near the Cape. The species was introduced into cultivation at the beginning of the 18th century. PLEASE NOTE: If you are looking for the classical "Indoor Amaryllis" that are sold and grown during the Winter months around the Christmas holidays please check under their official name of "Hippeastrum" elsewhere on our website.
Planting Tips:
Plant in groups of 3-5 in a spot that is sheltered from the wind. They do like water and some fertilizer when the leaves grow (Spring) and the stems start to appear (Fall). But they like their Summers dry: do not water the plants after the foliage (that will appear first and months before the flowers bloom) starts to die back: the bulbs go dormant before they produce stems and flowers. If your climate zone does not follow this pattern it is better to grow them in containers (1 bulb per 10"/25 cm pot) which has the added benefit that you can bring them indoors when the weather turns cold and Winter sets in. When planting in a garden or in a pot keep in mind that the neck of the bulbs should be at soil level. In other words: do not plant too deep.