If you’re interested in Amaryllis belladonna flowers, also known as amaryllis lilies, your curiosity is justified. This is definitely a unique, interesting plant. Don’t confuse Amaryllis belladonna flowers with its tamer cousin, also known as amaryllis, which blooms indoors during the holiday season, however – same plant family, different genus. Read on for more amaryllis plant info and amaryllis flower facts.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Amaryllis belladonna, the Jersey lily, belladonna-lily, naked-lady-lily, or March lily, is a plant species native to Cape Province in South Africa but widely cultivated as an ornamental. It is reportedly naturalized in many places: Corsica, Portugal, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Scilly Isles of Great Britain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ascension Island, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Chile, California, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan and the Juan Fernández Islands.
Amaryllis belladonna is one of the two species in the genus Amaryllis as currently circumscribed.
The specific epithet belladonna is derived from the Italian bella donna, which means beautiful lady.
Perennial bulbous geophyte with one to two erect solid stems which appear in late summer. The inflorescence bears 2–12 showy fragrant funnel-shaped flowers on a ‘naked’ (leafless) stem, which gives it the common name of naked-lady-lily. The pink flowers, which may be up to 10cm in length, appear in the autumn before the leaves (hysteranthous) which are narrow and strap shaped.
Leaves of A. belladonna begin growing in early spring, or during late autumn. They last for a few weeks to a few months until they wither away, and a flower stalk will begin growing. When found in the wild, Amaryllis belladonna is pollinated by hawk moths and carpenter bees. The flower has a long-tubed, pale perianth, which fully expands at night. This flower will then release a sweet fragrance, that contains acyclic terpenoid alcohol, linalool and abundant nectar, that attracts pollinators to it. A. belladonna seeds are soft and fleshy, and appear white or pinkish. They are dispersed through wind dispersal during the winter time. This is to coincide with the first winter rain during March, and April. Seeds will germinate in as early as two weeks, but will not develop into a fully flowering plant until three to six years later.
All parts of the A. belladonna plant are toxic and contain several different alkaloids, such as lycorine, pancracine and amaryllidine. This can cause vomiting and diarrhea in humans. In wildlife these toxins will affect grazing species, and will cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distress, lethargy, and heart or renal failure. Deer will avoid eating this plant, possibly due to an evolutionary relationship.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Belladonna lily needs ample sunlight–at least 4 hours of light every day–but cannot stand blazing sunlight for too long. Indoor potted plants can be placed by well-ventilated and sun-facing balconies and windows to maximize the reception of scattered light. Belladonna lily displays phototropism, which means its stalks bend towards sunlight. Turn the pots 180° every week to keep the stalks upright and straight.
Garden belladonna lily needs proper shade in the summer and sufficient light in winter to bloom. Insufficient sunlight negatively affects blooming in the following year.
Watering
Belladonna lily likes environments with ample water. Keeping the soil moist is required. It needs a lot of water in spring and summer during its growing stage, so water once every 1-2 days. During flowering, water once every day. When the temperature drops during winter dormancy, water can be reduced to 1-2 times per week–just enough water to keep the soil slightly moist. Because tap water contains many impurities, it’s best to let it sit for a day before using it to water the plant.
When watering, do not pour water directly on the bulb or splash water on the flowers and leaves. Water into the peripheral soil instead; otherwise, the risk of disease rises. Mist water into the air surrounding the plant to boost humidity and benefit the plant’s growth.
Temperature
Originally from Southern Africa, belladonna lily likes warm, moist environments. It doesn’t tolerate very high or low temperatures. The best temperature for it is between 21 to 25 ℃. The plant requires a lot of water and constant air and soil moisture (relative air humidity at 50-60%). Belladonna lily can grow outdoors in warm areas that meet all the climate conditions above; in other areas, pot the plant and enjoy it indoors.
Soil
Belladonna lily needs nutrient-rich, loose soil that quickly drains extra water away. The ideal soil pH value is 5.5-6.5. Layer a 2 to 3 cm-thick layer of grit on the bottom of the pot) and add a combination of 2/3 humus or garden soil mixed with 1/3 perlite. Replace the soil every 1-2 years to prevent it from compacting. Do not allow water to stand in the pot, as waterlogging in the soil causes root rot and affects the plant’s growth.
Fertilizing
One month after it is planted, belladonna lily can be fertilized. Before the flower season, apply phosphate and potash fertilizers monthly to facilitate growth and blooming. Before every monthly fertilization, loosen the soil with a small stick and apply water-soluble fertilizers to the soil to promote flowering. Stop fertilizing when the plant blooms, because belladonna lily consumes accumulated nutrition to bloom and stops absorbing nutrients from the soil.
After the flowers wither, cut them off and switch to fertilizers with high nitrogen and potassium to promote the bulbs’ nutrition accumulation. Stop fertilizing during the plant’s dormancy, because its growth is paused now.
In daily care, don’t fertilize too frequently or in overly high concentration, or the plant may get burnt. Insufficient fertilizer may lead to flowers not blooming fully, being too small, having slender, weak stalks, etc.
Planting Instructions
The best time to plant belladonna lily is in the spring, after the last frost. You can purchase mature bulbs from garden centers. Use a pot with a diameter 1-2 times of that of a bulb. In general, a 13 to 18 cm wide pot will work fine to grow 2-3 bulbs. When planting in the garden, dig a hole 20 cm deep. Bury 2/3 of the bulb in the soil and leave 1/3 of the top aboveground so the belladonna lily bulb doesn’t rot.
Pruning
After belladonna lily flowers wither, cut off the stalks and dried leaves and keep the healthy leaves. Place the plant under bright, scattered light to keep it growing. Cut off the leaves when they turn yellow, but keep the bulb in the soil. Check the root system during repotting and soil changes (change the soil every 1-2 years) and trim off all the dried, sick roots and leaves.
Propagation
Belladonna lily propagates by seeding, bulb division, and cuttage. From seed to bloom takes 2 to 3 years, so the most popular propagation method for home planting is bulb division. Old bulbs produce 2-3 child bulbs each year, which need 2 days of drying after division before they can be planted individually. Bury 2/3 of the bulb bottom in a mix of peat soil and sandy soil, and water once. Wait until new leaves sprout to water again.
III. Uses and Benefits
The perennial belladonna lily is a winner of the Award of Garden Merit prized for its all-around stunning display of fragrant, bright pink flowers atop dark red stems. This flower works wonderfully as a specimen piece and is accented beautifully by low-growing spring flowers or bright green groundcovers. It’s great in cut flower gardens, along with Mediterranean, cottage, or even rock gardens!
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Belladonna lily blossoms once or twice every year for up to 7 weeks. Cut flowers last about 10 days. Use sharp gardening scissors to harvest, cutting at the stalk base at a 45° incline to increase the water-absorbing cross-section of the spray. Put the cut flowers in vases with clean water immediately.
