Family: Amaryllidaceae

These magnificent, bulbous plants from tropi­cal America are generally grown in pots and often grown on windowsills. The individual, trumpet-shaped blooms may be as much as 20 cm (8 in) across and are quite spectacular. They appear on tall, straight stems 30-60 cm (12-24 in) long, in winter and spring before the strap-like, mid-green leaves.

Species

H. aulicum, to 60 cm 124 in), has crim­son or purple flowers with green throats.

H. pratense (now correctly called Rhodophiala pratensis) grows to 40 cm (16 in), producing bright red or purple-violet flowers.

H. psittac­inum has green and scarlet-striped flowers.

H. puniceum, Barbados lily, to 45 cm (18 in), has bright red flowers with a green base.

H. reginae, to 60 cm (24 in), has red and white flowers with greenish white throats.

H. reticulatum, to 30 cm (12 in), has bright reddish mauve flowers with deeper markings.

H. striatum, to 30 cm (12 in), has green and crimson flowers. Hybrids come in pure white, salmon and dark red, and in a variety of different-coloured stripes.

Cultivation

Grow in a warm greenhouse or con­servatory, or in a warm room in the home. Plant bulbs in autumn, the top third exposed. Use soil-based potting compost. These bulbs need maximum light but shade from direct strong sun. Water normally when in growth but grad­ually reduce after flowering and dry off when plants become dormant. Plants flower best when pot bound so do not pot on until essen­tial. Propagate from offsets in autumn.

Climate

Zone 10.