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Belladonna Lilies
Naked Ladies derive their name because of the way their sturdy smooth stems pop out of the ground to elongate and burst forth large sweetly scented lily like trumpets from the top of their stems .They herald the change of the seasons between summer and autumn, popping up anytime from late February to early April. When the flowers have spent the large fleshy, strappy green leaves emerge to cover the large bulbs which protrude from the ground.
Naked Ladies or Amaryllis Belladonna bulbs originate the Cape Province of South Africa where they are found growing in rocky places. They have acclimatized very well in N.Z. where the dry summers and well drained soil suit them perfectly. Early British settlers most likely brought the bulbs out with them as cosseted house plants but soon discovered that our temperate climate was conducive to growing them outdoors. While traveling around I often see orderly clumps of Naked Ladies flowering randomly in paddocks. You can guarantee wherever you see them growing that once there was habitation there .Belladonna Lilies are remarkably long lived ,clumps remaining for generations in one spot ,just quietly spreading outwards. I spied such a clump at the Otaki cemetery last week. The clump would have been a good 1 metre in diameter with the flower stems reaching up to my waist, the tallest I have ever seen. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that this clump is well over 100 years old. There were many smaller clumps sporting flowers in varying shades of pink with some flowers sprouting from the mowed grassy areas.
The reason why these Lilies grow in paddocks is that they are poisonous to all stock so are left alone. Their only predators are vine weevils which will chew the buds and flowers but they are not major pests these days.
Belladonna flowers produce round fleshy seeds soon after flowering. If these seeds are sown straight away they will germinate readily. However patience is required before the bulb is old enough to produce its single flowering stem, usually five years. The best way to get flowering sized plants is to separate off the outer bulbs from established clumps while the plants are dormant during summer. Replant immediately taking care not to dry out the fleshy roots in the process.
Plant the bulbs with their necks above the ground in well drained soil.I have found that the bulbs will find their own perfect level, pushing themselves upwards if the depth is not to their liking. The bulbs seem to crowd and grow over each other but that is what nature intends .In perfectly drained soil such as sand these bulbs can be grown in a lawn situation and mown over through summer as the bulbs are pulled down lower in the sand and don’t protrude. But you do need to watch for the protruding stem sheaths in late summer.
Most Belladonna Lilies sport flowers in pink shades from pale pink though to cerise but occasionally you come a cross a pure white variant or one flushed with apricot. I doubt if you can purchase bulbs any more as they have become forgotten plants, but luckily they are so enduring. Look around and you will be surprised where you see them popping up.
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