The curious blood lily flower (Haemanthus), is a member of the Amaryllis family, and native to Africa. Most bulbous blood lily species are usually without foliage when flower spikes appear. They are little known to gardeners despite their spectacular bloom.
Haemanthus katharinae originates from South Africa province of KwaZulu-Natal. It’s globular bright salmon-red flower clusters often measure 6″ inches or more in diameter. These are borne on single stems well above the foliage, appearing in late June and July. They can last ten days to two weeks.
I first planted the bulbs in six pots, but after several years they needed the 10″ inch size. During the winter, I put them in a greenhouse at 50° to 55° degrees Fahrenheit. However, full-grown plants can take a temperature of 10° degrees less.
African Blood Lily Bulb in Greenhouses
In the greenhouse, a sunny location suits them until April, with light shade. During the flowering period, shade prolongs their bloom. Watering can be slowed down after flowering, but never let them become dry at any time, except in the winter season.
Much more spectacular in foliage is Haemanthus coccineus. Although the leaves wait until October to appear, growth starts in August when a flower stem forms, after being dormant and dry since May. Blooms are thistle-like, of blood-red coloring, with rather a waxy texture and measure two and one-half to 4″ inches across. They usually last in color for eight to ten days.
Leaves are dark green, fleshy, heavy textured, relatively broad, and often three feet long. During the summer, they lose their leaves and are usually entirely dormant by April. After they have bloomed once, they should have a bit of moisture during their dormancy.
Thorough watering can be resumed after the foliage starts to grow. They are not particular about soil, for mine grows remarkably well in plain geranium soil, which is slightly alkaline.
Haemanthus albiflos, an evergreen type preferring shade, is the latest to bloom with us. The flower clusters are smaller than the others mentioned and resemble a painter’s brush in form. Flowers are snow-white with a liberal sprinkling of golden pollen, and the leaves are well-rounded and short.
The flowering season usually starts in mid-September and continues to October. This is a slower-growing species and does not go dormant during the winter, unlike the others. It prefers relatively dry soil and a cooler temperature.
During the summer, shelter plants from the intense sun but return them to a sunny location when fall comes. Haemanthus need shallow planting.
Haemanthus natalense is one of my latest seedlings in March last year. It usually should bloom during mid-summer. It blossomed early because it was raised from seed in a warm location. The foliage is similar to Haemanthus katharinae.
Something new to play with adds much to the charm of gardening, and at 74, there is much to learn yet. So far, it has not been easy to obtain seeds of the more than 40 African blood lily flower species in Africa.
44659 by J. G. Bacher