Description
A superb, but little-known, Amaryllid from South Africa. Strappy leaves lie flat on the soil and are borne at the same time as the flowers. This is a compact form making smaller bulbs and flower balls and it is well suited to pot cultivation.
The flower ball is a 15cm umbel of bright pink to crimson, strongly fragrant flowers borne in mid-summer, on a stem itself only 25 cm high. The scent alone is worth growing this for, but the flowers are every bit as good.
This is a summer-growing bulb and when in growth it can take normal watering but it needs a long, dry rest in the winter, when it is most important not to give any water at all. They adore a well-drained, sandy soil in full sun. Leave undisturbed for regular flowering, since, like most of the larger Amaryllidaceae they really do dislike their roots being disturbed.
Reputed to be able to take a degree or two of frost in the winter, but they need to be drier if kept cold.
