The cultivation of the graceful water lily dates back to antiquity. Long valued florally, both the tuber and seeds of the waterlily have also been used for food. It was the favorite flower of one Chinese writer of the eleventh century, even though, since about 660 A. D., it had been fashionable to admire the … Read more
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 … Read more
One of the most useful and most neglected of all summer-flowering bulbs is Ismene or hymenocallis, also known by the common names: Peruvian-daffodil Basket-flower Spider-lily It is spectacular in the garden, especially when planted in masses, and it is delightfully fragrant and always striking in an arrangement. The long-lasting, glossy, strap-like foliage adds a lush … Read more
Eucharis x Grandiflora (YOO-kuh-riss gran-dih-FLOR-uh) is an evergreen bulbous perennial belonging to the genus Eucharis and from the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. The genus name Eucharis originated from the Greek word, which means pleasing or charming. The name perfectly describes the flowering plant because of its lovely narcissus-like blooms. The genus Eucharis comprises 15 to 20 … Read more
Blood lily, botanically named Scadoxus multiflorus (ska-DOKS-us mul-tih-FLOR-us), is a bulbous herb belonging to the genus Scadoxus and from the amaryllis family, Amaryllidaceae. It’s formerly known as Haemanthus multiflorus, initially described in 1795 by Thomas Martyn, an English botanist. In 1838, the Haemanthus multiflorus was moved by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque to a new genus Scadoxus, … Read more
Cardiocrinum giganteum is one of the largest and most spectacular of all lilies. It grows to 10’ feet or more and bears as many as 20 to 30 blooms to the stem. The flowers are semi-pendulous trumpets, about 8” inches long, white with purplish-red striping inside. The large glossy leaves average about 15” inches across. … Read more