Family: Amaryllidaceae
Common Name: Jacobean Lily

This striking, bulbous plant from Mexico can be grown outdoors in warns climates, but needs greenhouse conditions in cooler areas.

Species

S. formosissima, Jacobean lily, has stunning, bright crimson, lily-like blooms on 30 cm (12 in) stems. They make excellent cut flowers. The broad, scrappy leaves develop together with the twolipped flowers in spring. It is also known as 'Aztec lily' because of its origins and as 'orchid amaryllis' because the flower is sometimes thought to resemble an orchid.

Cultivation

In areas where frosts occur, Sprekelia is best grown in an intermediate conservatory or greenhouse. Grow in pots of soil-based potting compost. Plant the bulbs in autumn, making sure the top one-third is showing above compost level. Provide maximum light and carry out moderate watering in the growing period. Liquid feed fortnightly when flowering is over, to build up the bulbs. When the leaves start dying down, reduce water and when dormant (sometime in summer and autumn), keep barely moist. Bulbs should be repotted every three years into fresh compost. Outdoors grow in full sun with well-drained soil. Propagation is from offsets taken during the dormant period.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 10 to tropical.