Amaryllis belladonna 2018

[fermi de Sousa]

The dark pink/cerise selection of Amaryllis belladonna (or hybrid of it) is now in flower on our fenceline,
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

We planted these bulbs about 17 years ago and they have finally flowered!
They were overgrown by a hedge which prevented them developing flowers I presume.
Last year the hedge was removed and after exposure to the hot sun they have sent up their first flowers.
I think they were seedlings but can't be sure now
cheers
fermi

[Véronique Macrelle]

at home, since 10 years it is planted, it has never bloomed!

[fermi de Sousa]

Some more of the  Amaryllis are in bloom.
1) The first plant in the long shot has grown from a fallen seed quite a few years ago and has a good head of pale pink flowers.
2) Close up of flower-head;
3) Mid-pink seedling;
4) pale-pink seedling;
5) White hybrid - maybe 'Hathor' or seedling of it, close up with native bee in residence,
cheers
fermi

[GordonT]

Really nice chromatic range you have with the Amaryllis, Fermi! In a few years it might just be warm enough overwinter here for me to give them a try.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Gordon,
I'm always amazed at how people in colder climates manage to flower some of these sorts of bulbs. They are much better growers than me
Amaryllis naturalise here as the conditions must be similar to where they originated. The hybrids which were raised here and elsewhere also flourish - I think Melbourne is even more suitable for them as I found that the frosts here can kill seedlings! However some seedlings have survived in the ground and here are another couple of "free range" seedlings which have come up outside the actual garden bed,
cheers
fermi

[fermi de Sousa]

A late start for a tall hybrid which came from seed from a dear friend in the 1980s!
cheers
fermi

[johnralphcarpenter]

Autumn approaches! This Amaryllis belladonna took ten years to flower but now flowers reliably every year.

[fermi de Sousa]

Hi Ralph,
the one-sided nature of the flower-head indicates that you have the true species rather than one of the hybrids with radial symmetry.
Do you get viable seed set on yours?
cheers
fermi

[johnralphcarpenter]

I'll have to check that this autumn.