Amaryllis Species, Belladonna Lily, Jersey Lily, March Lily, Naked Lady Lily

On Sep 8, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

There are two different bulb species called "naked ladies", and they look very similar, but differ substantially in hardiness. People reporting plants hardy in Z6 or 5 are confusing this species with Lycoris squamigera. Anyone ordering Amaryllis belladonna bulbs in Z6 or 5 expecting them to overwinter outdoors is likely to be disappointed.

Here's how to distinguish these two species: http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/AmaryllisVsL...

Amaryllis belladonna has its petals (tepals) evenly spaced; its leaves are glossy, bright green and have pointed tips. With Lycoris squamigera, there's a gap between the "petals" at the bottom; its leaves ar... read moree matt, gray-green and have rounded tips.

Amaryllis belladonna can be hardy in Z7. Lycoris squamigera is hardy to z5/6. People reporting plants that are winter-hardy in WV or KS or OH or IA or CO or AK or IL are talking about Lycoris squamigera.

On Sep 3, 2014, r0cKin from Salina, KS wrote:

I have these Naked Ladies growing on the east side of the house. They have been here for many, many years. They have always bloomed the 1st week of August and for some reason they bloomed a bit early this year (2014) I just wanted to include that we are in Salina, Kansas zone 6a and they do not need to be lifted. Many yards all over Salina, KS have these beautiful, surprising flowers in them. So add Kansas to your list of hardiness.

On Aug 2, 2014, lkteach from Defiance, OH wrote:

the plant is very tolerant of varying conditions. it seems to bloom no matter how wet or dry the growing season is. we had very harsh conditions this past winter and the flowering just starting to as it has in years past, even with the extreme cold.

On Jan 16, 2013, Don_Gehr from Everton, AR wrote:

When we moved to this house several years ago 2 Naked Ladied showed up. The next year 4. Well I decided I didn't want them where they where so dug up the 4 I had seen and moved them to the other area. The next year 8 bloomed in the area I had removed the four from and 12 bloomed in the area where I had planted the 4. Idon't care whether it has been dry or wet I have a load of blooms. For me the more the merrier.

On Aug 8, 2012, RosinaBloom from Waihi,
New Zealand (Zone 1) wrote:

Amaryllis (Brunsvigia rosea) - belladonna lillies used to be considered to be the only true species that belong to this genus. Their large bulbs usually sit on top of the ground, with their fleshy roots deeply and firmly anchored. They do well in an open, sun-baked, dry spot. The scapes of blooms appear after the first autumn rains, and before the leaves develop. They are long lasting as cut flowers. From the palest of pink to a deep pink are: 'Southern Cross',
'Babtisi Rosea', 'Multiflora Rosea' and 'Beacon". Family: Amaryllidaceae.

On May 18, 2011, gtfoomwaz from Glendale, AZ wrote:

I water my amaryllis every few weeks in the summer in Glendale Az. I haven't had any luck with them without summer water.

On Jan 17, 2011, Lorra from Indianapolis, IN wrote:

Lorra Z5a, Indiana

Does this lily behave differently in different climates? In Indiana the leaves grow in the spring and the ‘ladies’ pop up in August. Wvbill refers to spring blooms; GuerrillaGurl, CA, refers to their multiplying rapidly. I had some at the old house and they never really multiplied in 30 years. But they always bloomed. Wish I had brought them with me.

On Oct 7, 2010, pinkNLlover from Thousand Oaks, CA wrote:

I have been growing this plant since 1997 from a bulb which I purchased at "The Conservatory" in Malibu, CA when the busness closed. The blooming began within two years after planting and currently blooms from mid June to Nov. with soft pink fragrent scents. Stems are mostly dark green/golden brown year round unless in a drout, then stem color is dark red/purple. The soil is firm and drains well by adding salt free sand (medium). Bee's are attracted to this flower as well as a few butterflies and humming birds. I have had no problems with kids or pets eating this plant. The flowers are high on a long stock, about 4 ft. up. Very happy with this plant overall.

On Mar 2, 2010, ladyfromTucson from Tucson, AZ wrote:

I'm from Tucson, AZ and my Uncle Charlie brought some bulbs out from Minnesota to me. I have shared bulbs with my neighbors for over 15 years now. I have planted them on the west side of my home but has afternoon shade from my Southern Oak trees. They are beautiful all winter with the green foliage but not becoming when they are drying before bloom time. Not as many blooms last year. Just divided and hopefully they will recover for this years bloom.

On Nov 4, 2009, Waywardowl from Flagstaff, AZ wrote:

My Grandmother grew these in the field outside of her living room window. I remember them fondly as a child, and would pick them for bouquets. They are posionous (the cows never touched them), but not as poisionous as most. I feel that it is always safe to assume that all plants are will be harmful if ingested, unless otherwise told.

On Aug 10, 2009, suvmommy from Aliso Viejo, CA wrote:

Just want to note that these belladonna lillies or Amaryllis Belladonna's are POISONOUS if ANY part of the plant is consumed.

I found these beautiful flowers on the side of the road in Laguna Beach, CA, cut one stem to bring to our local nursury so hopefully, they could tell me what they were. The nursury told me what they were and I went home in the pursuit of finding the bulbs online since the nursury wasn't going to be selling them until Jan. sometime.

Come to find out, they are POISONOUS!!! I know there are many flowers and plants that are harmful or poisonous but I would think that anyone that has small children would want to avoid this plant/flower...too risky if you ask me. Maybe you'll be able to keep your toddlers out of them and them out of th... read moreeir mouths, but what happens when you sell your home and a family with small children move in and have no idea they are potentially fatal?!?!

Just a thought...from a concerned Mommy

On Sep 15, 2007, dfourer from Chicago, IL wrote:

I want to report that Amaryllis belladonna grows in Chicago, IL in zone 5, in a weedy, neglected south-exposure sight. The soil is sandy. It has returned for many years and formed 2 clumps of 8-10 bulbs. One clump is up against a maple tree and another is about one foot from the south wall of a building. Bulbs are about 1.5 inches wide and slender with long necks.

On Aug 3, 2007, brown50990 from Oklahoma City, OK wrote:

I received some bulbs from a neighbor about 2 years ago and this summer I have had wonderful pink/blue highlighted blooms for the first time. They are growing in partial shade and require no care which is also a great bonus. I have been cutting some of my blooms for indoor enjoyment and they are now bulging with seed pods where the flower was. I still have the stalks in water which seems to be working for them and I should have plenty to share if I can get them mature and viable.

On Jul 25, 2006, GRosson from San Jose, CA wrote:

Like others, these lovely scented flowers have been a part of my life (I am not 55) since My Grandmother had them... the bulbs I have now are derivative from hers. Hers are still growing at the family home in Oxnard CA.

I have always heard a gardening tale that these can predict an early winter.... I think it may be true. Our usually bloom here in August. They are currently blooming now...

I concur they are pretty idiot proof. (I have no green thumb and still they flourish.)

On May 13, 2006, htop from San Antonio, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

Belladonna Lily, Naked Lady are deer and rodent proof. Like berrygirl, I have had my plants for 2 years and they have never bloomed. The bulbs are large and the foliage is very healthy looking. I am so disappointed at the end of each summer because I anxiously anticipate seeing the blooms which do not appear. They are in a container. Maybe this year I will be lucky.

Update: This plant did not bloom in 2007. In 2008, I left it out of the greenhouse all winter hoping that this might encourage it to bloom. Now in August, 2008, the plant's foliage has never died died back even during a scorching summer and a drought. I will not have blooms for another year. Disappointment continues.

On Sep 4, 2005, sandyksk from Sanger, CA wrote:

We love these flowers! They were planted by my husband's mother, and now we live in the house she grew up in. The bulbs are very large now. We get an abundance of these popping up all over. We've collected the 'seed pods' and now our grandchildren are planting them in even more places for more wonderful surprises in the coming years. Easiest flower of all in our gardens...they virtually take care of themselves and surprise us every summers end. :) (We live in the Central Valley in California)

On Jul 14, 2004, Wendylee from Orem, UT wrote:

I got my plants from Caliente ,NV. They were my grandmother's. I started with 8 and now have over 20. I have given them out to my friends. They do not bloom the first year, and you only get the green in the spring. The green dies completely like other bulbs. The flowers boom around August 1st. They do grow very well in Orem, UT. Wendylee

On Sep 9, 2003, Dil from Manhattan Beach, CA wrote:

For the past two years the "Naked Ladies" have bloomed in July in Healdsburg, California with our first rain arriving in mid-November. This year they started blooming at the end of August and some haven't even bloomed yet. I wonder if the earlier they bloom, the sooner winter will arrive...

On Apr 22, 2003, Sunflower62 wrote:

I have good memories about this plant and one big regret. My favorite aunt gave me some of these bulbs for my birthday, and I cherished them because they came from her garden in Monrovia, CA. I planted them in my garden in La Cresenta, CA., and when we moved from that home to a new home in Laguna Niguel, CA, I took them with me.

There we enjoyed them as they would pop up (it seemed) from behind a small wall bordering our swimming pool. My husband and I had great fun going thorough a ritual of “Oh look the Naked Ladies are out by the pool!”. Where upon hearing that, the other would rush to our kitchen window, and feign surprise and shock. My only regret is that when we moved from that home I didn’t take the Ladies with me.

On Aug 6, 2002, Kell from Northern California, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:

These are no fuss bulbs. Make sure you plant them with their necks out of the ground. They put out lush green leaves all winter in milder areas. They start to die back in late spring early summer. Then they go dormant until the flower stalks emerge in the latter part of summer. There are no leaves when they flower which is how they got their name of Naked Lady. They form nice thick clumps and like to be crowded to form lots of flowers. The pink is the most common color but you can find them in darker pink, white and combinations of white and pink. Once established they do not need anything special. I rarely water or fertilize these at all and they always put on a
great show for me.