Page 23 - Silver Lakes February Issue 2023

GARDENING

Lilium orientalis

bulbs should be left undisturbed for several The belladonna lily’s specific flowering time References:
years before dividing. is late summer – February and March. • https://www.growveg.co.za/plants/south-africa/how-
to-grow-lily/
Scadoxus is easy to grow from fresh seed Crinum (river lily) is an excellent landscape • https://www.gardeninginsouthafrica.co.za/pests-
and will produce flowers in the third plant near water features, but some species diseases/lily-borer-larvae-hatch-in-summer
season. When the plant becomes dormant tolerate dry conditions well. The plants • https://pza.sanbi.org/crinum#:~:text=Crinum%20
after flowering, place a marker in the soil seldom multiply vegetatively by forming are%20herbaceous%20plants%20with,bases%20of%20
to prevent the bulbs from being damaged offsets. Grown from seed, the Crinum lily the%20old%20leaves
by digging. can take eight years to flower. • Creative gardening with indigenous plants by Pitta Joffe

Amaryllis belladonna (March lily) is Choose a suitable species for your garden,
endemic to the Western Cape and prefers such as Crinum moorei, which is almost
a well-drained rocky position. evergreen and suitable for shady areas; Tel: 012 804 1807
or Crinum macowanii, for use as a garden Fax: 012 804 0278
Web: www.garden-group.co.za
The strap-like leaves are deciduous and plant in full sun. Grown from seed, the Email: admin@garden-group.co.za
are produced after flowering. The leaves latter species will flower within three years.
remain green throughout winter. These
leaves produce a starch, which is stored I discussed three species, but South Africa
in the bulb. In summer, the leaves die has an abundance of indigenous lilies that
back and the bulb becomes dormant. can be grown successfully as garden plants.
This phenomenon of flowering before the Choose the ones that work best in your
leaves appear is known as hysteranthy. surroundings.
Crinum

INTRAMUROS FEBRUARY 2023 | 21