I love it when people show me interesting rare plants from their own gardens. The real test of a horticulturalist is what they create in their own space. After all, it is easy to have a job in a particular feild, however, with plants and trees, I believe that passion must somehow make it into your own dwelling space.
As I am learning very quickly since moving a couple of months ago, it takes time to establish your space. This is especially real in the garden. As a wise horticultralist once told me, “You shold live in your garden for at least two years before committing any plans”. This is very wise advice, the problem is that i’m not very patient! I have ripped out most of what was growing in the garden (in actual fact most of it was already dead and diseased) and created this huge space for what I want in it. This does create a bit of a problem, weeds are now coming up in the borders and there is nothing to protect the soil. Silly mistake, but one I can live with.
In the meantime of establishing my own green space I will continue to enjoy what others are growing and showing off. Today it was the Blood Lily (Scadoxus multiflorus). This fine specimen only flowers once per year and for a rare plant it must be enjoyed in its short flowering window.
Natalie kindly sacrificed the only flower that she has this year for the enjoyment and education of the hort department. The scape holding the inflorecence is spotty and succulent. It’s not surprising that it is. This umbel arrangement holds about 150 small red tubular flowers, closely compacted to make the head of this flower seem like one single flower.
Scadoxus multiflorus is native to South Africa and tropical regions. After dormancy in the winter, the scape pertrudes from the ground without any leaves. In order to grow the flower part the bulb must be mature otherwise you will only get leaves, so be patient. The Blood Lily is from the Amaryllidaceae family and is probably one of the most spectacular flowering plants in the Amaryllis family. There is no perfume to the flower, but the look of it is enjoyment enough. Thanks Natalie for again opening our eyes to something different and beautiful! 🙂
The Tassie Farmer 