One of the most valued characteristics of a pot plant is its long blooming period. Bulbous plants often fail in this respect, but one that meets this requirement is the Scarborough lily, Vallota speciosa.
This member of the amaryllis family, which is not a true lily, has umbels of scarlet, funnel-form flowers, each about 3″ inches across, on scopes, usually about 2′ feet tall.
Because there are several attractive flowers in an umbel, and because a healthy plant sends up a succession of flower stalks from the cluster of bulbs over two months, this South African native is one of the most desirable specimens for late Summer and early Fall bloom on a terrace or as a house plant.
The plant illustrated was received as a gift with the caution that it probably would not flower well without repotting. This was not done, however.
How To Plant And Grow Scarborough Lily
The pot was placed in the sun, on the bench, in a sun-heated pit for the winter, where the temperature sometimes dropped to 33° degrees Fahrenheit.
The soil was kept moist as the plant makes active leaf growth during the fall and winter months.
Less water is given during the resting period in early summer, but the bulbs should never completely dry out at any time.
The flower stalks usually appear in August when much sun, water, and frequent feedings are required.
Alternate feedings at 10-day intervals of Electra, Hyponex, and John Innes Feed produced the fine display shown here for most of September and October.
This treatment has been repeated successfully for two years. This plant will not be repotted until the roots crack the pot.
Once a common house plant, particularly in farmhouse windows and on country porches in northern New England, this flower has become scarce and needs to be more often seen in collections of favorite pot plants.
44659 by Kathryn S. Taylor