AMARYLLIS 



THE BULB BOOK 



AMARYLLIS 



species and varieties of Hippeastrum 

 — which see. 



A. Belladonna {A.pvdica ; A. rosea ; 

 Cohurgia Belladonna). — This is a 

 native of Cape Colony, and not of 

 the West Indies as stated in some 

 ■works, and was introduced to cultiva- 

 tion as long ago as the year 1712. In 

 spring the ovoid bulbs, which are 3 

 to 4 ins. through, produce seven to nine 

 strap-shaped, distichous, dull green 



Pig. 42. — AmarylUe Bdladorma. (J.) 



leaves 12 to 18 ins. long and about 

 1 in. broad. From six to twelve 

 funnel-shaped flowers, consisting of 

 six nearly equal, oblong acute, con- 

 nivent segments, are borne on the 

 top of a solid scape 12 to 18 ins. 

 high, about August and September. 

 They are of a beautiful soft rose 

 colour and sweetly fragrant. {Bot. 

 Mag. t. 733 ; Bed. Lil. t. 180.) 

 There are several forms of the 



Belladonna Lily, including hlanda 

 {Cohurgia Manda) (Bot. Mag. t. 1450), 

 which has longer and broader leaves, 

 2 to 3 ft. long, and larger and paler 

 coloured flowers ; and pallida, which 

 differs from the type only in having 

 paler coloured flowers. Other forms 

 have been called rosea perfecta, 

 speciosa purpurea, and spectabilis 

 bicolor or mutahilis in gardens. The 

 " Kew " variety, however, is far supe- 

 rior to them all. It originated in the 

 Eoyal Gardens, Kew, and is much 

 more vigorous and free flowering than 

 the type, from which it differs chiefly 

 in having a stouter scape twice as 

 long, and bearing about four times as 

 many flowers of a rich rosy-crimson 

 colour. It is said to be the result of 

 crossing A. Belladorma with Bruns- 

 vigia Josephinm. 



The Belladonna Lily and its 

 varieties flourish in warm sunny 

 spots sheltered from bleak cold winds. 

 The bulbs should be planted about 

 9 ins. deep in a rich compost of sandy 

 loam and leaf-mould. Good drainage 

 is essential, and may be secured by 

 placing a thickish layer of brickbats, 

 clinkers, etc., about 3 ft. below the 

 surface of the border. If the bulbs 

 are planted in autumn, it wUl be 

 wise to cover them with a layer or 

 heap of leaves, litter, etc., in bleak 

 localities, as a protection against 

 frost and also to throw off heavy 

 rains. Once planted in a suitable 

 position, the bulbs need not be dis- 

 turbed for four or five years. Trans- 

 planting is best done after the 

 withering of the foliage. When 

 fresh plants are required the bulbs 

 are lifted and all offsets separated 

 and replanted, allowing a distance of 

 about 1 ft. between each one. During 

 the hot summer months copious 

 waterings should be given, and an 

 annual mulching of well-rotted 

 manure wiU also be beneficial. 



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