One of August’s most delightful surprises is the pink bloom of Naked Ladies, or Amaryllis Belladonna. In the spring, their green leaves emerge, but they quickly die back as summer arrives. Then, almost unexpectedly, the elegant stems begin to shoot up, adding color and life to the garden.
In the photo, you’ll notice there’s no foliage present, and the bulbs are barely visible. This happens because they are planted very shallowly. To get the best results, you should plant them after they bloom and before the strappy leaves appear to replenish the bulb. Timing is key for optimal growth.
I planted these Naked Ladies about 10 years ago. Although I can’t recall exactly how many bulbs I started with, you can now see clumps forming around each single bulb. These bulbs are in various stages of emerging from the dead leaves. Since they’re outside my fence, they haven’t been touched by deer or gophers, which has allowed them to multiply rapidly. The first sign of bloom is a triangular, pointed spear. They grow quickly and begin blooming, followed by more, spreading naturally by seed.
For example, the two plants at the bottom of the slope probably grew from seed. In a more maintained garden, the dried foliage would have been removed earlier, but here, they flourish naturally.
Naked Ladies Spread By Seed
Above, birds have spread Naked Ladies across the driveway. These are about two years old, and they’re growing among young herbaceous peonies. Over time, they have multiplied from just one flower. The depth of bulbs grown from seed is almost non-existent—just beneath the surface!
One feature I truly appreciate about these flowers is their lavender, blue-tinged stems. A third stem is emerging from the smaller bulb on the right. I’m eager to scatter some seeds this year to see how long it takes for them to germinate. It’s always exciting to experiment and watch nature unfold.
In shaded areas, Naked Ladies can grow even taller, like this one which has reached over 3 feet. It emerged beside a large “Carefree” shrub rose, and the color combination is striking.
In conclusion, Amaryllis Belladonna is easy to grow, requires little care, and makes a stunning garden accent. With just a bit of attention, you can enjoy their elegant blooms year after year.
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