Original habitat: 3 species in South Africa and 7 in tropical Africa over which the literature offers very little information
Flower color: Pink, sometimes scarlet red with white. The sepals can also be brightly colored. Although the petals are very small and not that conspicuous, the inflorescence as a whole is quite attractive: the petals combined with the flowers’ numerous stamens and their filaments give the general impression of a shaving brush.
Flowering period: Late in the summer
Plant height: 24 inches
Planting depth: Plant the bulbs so that the nose is just above or level with the soil surface. Be careful not to break off the roots while spreading them around the bulb onto the bottom of the planting hole.
Planting distance: 12 inches
Type of bulb: These are true bulbs that are large and fleshy with thick, fleshy, but easily broken roots.
Light requirements: Although they can tolerate sun, they are often found growing in the shade in their native habitat. Applications: Scadoxus cannot really tolerate much frost and is better grown in the milder climatic zones where little if any frost occurs. Plant them in clusters of 3 to 5 bulbs located in a sunny border.
The bulbs should be protected in the event of even the slightest frost. In areas where frost occurs, it would be better to plant them in pots that should be fairly large (diameter of about 10 inches).
Various species
- Scadoxus multiflorus ssp katherinae. This subspecies is one of the most favored of its species and also tolerates shade. This plant grows to a height of 24 inches, and the inflorescence can reach a diameter of 10 inches. Its color is a fiery red, and the stems are very prominent. After the flower has bloomed, the leaves begin to develop. The plant dies back during the winter.
- Scadoxus puniceus. The flowers produced by this plant are a bright orange-red with golden filaments. The plant grows to a height of about 24 inches.
- Scadoxus pole-evansii. Comparable to Scadoxus multiflorus ssp katherinae, but with fewer flowers that are more salmon in color.
