Amaryllis belladonna (am-ah-RIL-lis bel-ah-DON-nah), also known as Belladonna Lily, is a perennial summer-flowering bulb that belongs to the genus Amaryllis and from the Amaryllidaceae family.
It is one of the two Amaryllis genus species and is considered a true Amaryllis. It is not to be confused with the common Amaryllis from the unrelated genus Hippeastrum, which has hollow stems.
The genus name Amaryllis originated from a beautiful maiden in Greek Mythology named Amaryllis, and the epithet belladonna means “beautiful lady” in Italian, perfectly describing this lovely flowering plant.
This deciduous flowering bulb is native to the Western Cape Province in South Africa and is generally abundant in rocky regions of Knysna and Olifants River Valley.
Belladonna Lilies are well-known for their clusters of pink or pure white trumpet-shaped flowers emerging on long, purplish-brown, and green stalks.
The stems are leafless or “naked,” giving rise to its common name Naked Lady Lily.
Widely cultivated as an ornamental, Belladonna Lilies are also naturalized in Southern Australia and Southern USA regions.
This summer flowering plant is also a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit winner, meaning it met the criterion for excellent plants in gardening under UK growing conditions.
Belladonna Lily goes by several common names, including:
- Amaryllis Belladonna
- Naked Lady Amaryllis
- March Lily
- Jersey Lily
- Surprise Lily
- Magic Lily
- Resurrection Lily
Quick Facts On Amaryllis Belladonna Bulbs
- Family: Amaryllidaceae
- Light: Full sun, bright partial sun/shade
- Temperature: 65° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Keep soil moist but well-drained
- Fertilizer: 5-10-10 Fertilizer
- Propagation: Through bulbs or seeds
- Common Problems: Aphids, Mealybugs, Thrips
Amaryllis Belladonna Care
How Big Do Belladonna Lily Plants Grow?
Belladonna lilies are perennial flowering plants with a moderate growth rate, reaching a maximum height of about 2′ to 3′ feet tall with a spread reaching 2′ to 3′ feet wide in approximately five to 10 years.
Their leafless, long purplish-brown, green stalks are sturdy and emerge 19” inches above the soil.
When Does Belladonna Lily Bulb Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Belladonna lilies’ showy basal foliage with narrow and green strappy leaves appears during spring and dies in the early summer.
After six weeks, long and naked stems (leafless stalk) sprouts in late summer to early autumn.
Each remarkable stem grows 24” to 30” inches from the ground and produces a cluster of at least 12 trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of vivid pure white, pink, or rosy pink during the blooming season.
Each flower opens one at a time, appearing atop the leafless stems with a spread of 4″ inches wide, and its flare opens at 3″ inches.
Protruding from each belladonna lily flower head are many long, prominent curved or inverted black anthers that burst open to display a clump of sticky, white pollens.
Belladonna lilies particularly blossom during late July, August, and Early September with a heady and sweet fruity fragrance that wafts in the air, attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees with a combination of nectar, alcohol, and linalool.
The flowering period of a Belladonna lily usually lasts 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the location.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Belladonna lilies require full sun or bright partial shade to blossom generously, and their blooms tend to face the sun’s direction during the growing period.
They grow best when planted in sunny and warm South-facing or West-facing spots where they can get ample sunshine for at least 4 hours a day.
The ideal temperature for a belladonna lily to thrive ranges between 65° to 75° degrees Fahrenheit during the growing season.
In the winter, they need a temperature of 50° to 55° degrees Fahrenheit to blossom and would not tolerate temperatures below 35° degrees Fahrenheit.
Belladonna lilies grow in hardiness zones 7 to 10.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Naked Lady Flower Bulbs?
Belladonna lilies are drought-tolerant plants but would require plenty of water enough to keep the soil moist (not soaked) during the growing season, especially when foliage is present.
Once the bulbs enter the dormant winter period and the foliage has died, withhold regular watering and resume only when the naked stems appear.
Don’t forget to provide support by occasional irrigation and adding winter mulch because these plants need enough moisture during the winter growing season.
Fertilizer is unnecessary, but you may occasionally feed your belladonna lily with diluted liquid fertilizer or 5-10-10 fertilizer to encourage growth if desired.
What Is The Best Soil For Naked Lady Lilies, And When Should You Transplant?
Belladonna lilies thrive in moist but well-drained soil and do well in sandy, loamy, or chalky ground.
They also prefer acidic, alkaline, or neutral soils with a pH level between 6 and 6.5.
The ideal time to plant these flowering bulbs is from October to early May.
When planting belladonna lilies, remember these steps:
- Plant bulbs in site full sun with soil amended, using compost, peat moss, or other decayed organic material from summer and early autumn.
- Dig holes and place the large bulbs about 6″ to 12″ inches apart with the pointed tips above soil level.
- Plant the bulbs 8 inches apart in moderately fertile soil with excellent drainage when dormant.
- If you are planting in a container or pot, place the individual bulbs in a separate 20cm pot with porous soil mix.
- Water thoroughly to bed in.
- Avoid disturbing the bulbs during the growing season.
Does Belladonna Lily Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Pruning is unnecessary for the belladonna lilies because the foliage will naturally die down and grow the following season.
Only remove the dead foliage or dry leaves and cut down the stems once flowering is over.
How To Propagate Naked Lady Amaryllis Plant?
Naked Lady plants naturally propagate through seeds or perennial bulbs and germinate 2 to 10 weeks after sowing.
Belladonna lily seeds require a temperature of about 60° to 80° degrees Fahrenheit during the warm seasons and 35° to 50° degrees Fahrenheit in colder regions.
Their bulbs may also be lifted and divided during the dormant period, alternatively removing offsets in autumn.
Naked lady plants will reach maturity and will only flower 3 to 6 years later.
Amaryllis Belladonna Pests And Disease Problems
Amaryllis Belladonna is disease-free and resistant to problems, but keep a lookout for occasional pests, including:
- Snails
- Slugs
- Aphids,
- Mealybugs
- Red Spider mites
- Lily borers
Uses For Naked Lady Belladonna Amaryllis
Amaryllis Belladonna plants are easy to grow perennial flowering plants and require low maintenance, making them excellent plants for landscape in the following locations:
- Flower beds
- Patios
- Border fronts
- Gravel gardens
- Cottage gardens
- Mediterranean gardens
- Woodland gardens
Because of their fragrant flowers, they are also perfect for cut flowers and flower arrangements.
However, it’s also important to note that Amaryllis Belladonna plants are toxic to humans and pets, such as cats and dogs.
These plants contain several toxic alkaloids, such as:
- Amaryllidine
- Lycorine
- Pancracine
Accidental consumption of Amaryllis Belladonna will cause the following:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy