Amaryllis belladonna blooming
Terry Hernstrom (Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:37:06 PDT)

Growing up in rural Illinois, ( zone 5 ). There seemed to be A. belladonna growing in every old garden. An over the fence plant I presume. They bloomed on leafless stalks every August, much like here in Mediterranean California. Most growers called them "Naked Ladies" except my grandmother, ever the progressive called them " Naked Boys". They seemed to be completly hardy and thrived on neglect. I remember they always took a few years to settle back in after being divided. Th best show were large clumps that hadn't been disturbed in decades. Someone correct me if this is a different species, but I thought there is only one.

Terence Hernstrom
Kimberly Crest House & Gardens
Redlands, CA