Hi list, Scadoxus species inhabit a very diverse range of habitats in nature, ranging from full sun to shady swamps to growing epiphytically on trees! I grow all of my plants outside year round, granted we are probably equivalent to Zone 9 or warmer. S. puniceus is perhaps the most variable in habitat preference. I have seen plans growing in full sun on rocky outcrops near Dullstroom in Mpumalanga (Northern Transvaal), this is a fairly high rainfall region with very cold winters which occasionally sees snow. I have also encountered them in dense shade in the Knysna forestin the Western Cape. They also occur at high altitudes in the Drakenberg mountains, which can get very cold in winter! S. puniceus has a rather disjunct distribution with plants occurring in South Africa and then again in Kenya where they are reported to grow epiphytically on trees! I have however never seen this species growing in or near water, and they prefer a dry dormancy. This is a slow growing species from seed. S. multiflorus is altogether another cup of tee! S. multiflorus ssp. katharinae frequently inhabits swamp forests where they grow on floating mats of debris. Plants look best when grown in shade and quickly burn when exposed to full sun. This is a semi-evergreen species and is not adversely affected by water during its resting period, and is successfully cultivated outside at Kirstenbocsh where they receive heavy winter rains. Relatively fast growing, can flower within three years from seed! In Southern Africa S. multiflorus ssp. multiflorus usually inhabits relatively dry areas in lightly shaded woodland. In my experience they require a completely dry dormancy. Ironically this is the most difficult species for me to cultivate! The most interesting habitat for this species I have seen is in Zambia where they grow on ancient anthills which remain above water during the rainy season when the plains adjacent to the rivers flood for several months. Taking into consideration this species very wide distribution across the African continent there are bound to be lots of diversity in habitat preference. For me a slow growing species; may differ with origin. Now that I've covered the three most widely cultivated species, I'd like to mention a few of the others. S. nutans is an exclusive epiphyte, however they do occasionally grow on the ground. Although they experience a distinct dry and wet season in their natural habitat in eastern Ethiopia, plants benefit from watering throughout the year. Although I have never visited their habitat, I have seen photos, it is the most amazing sight to see them growing epiphytically on trees! I am planning to establish a few plants on the trees in the garden; I'll let you all know how it goes! Plants form offsets at the tips of long stolons (very unusual for Scadoxus!), seed are slow to ripen and delicate to germinate. S. pole-evansii grows in moist montane forest in Eastern Zimbabwe, the primary rainy season is in summer though the habitat never dries out completely during winter. Plants require shade and have been reported growing epiphytically on trees where some leaf mould has accumulated, but this is not the norm. It is an easy, but slow growing species, my plants took 6 years to reach maturity. Blooming right now, Haemanthus albiflos and Haemanthus deformis. Lots of Aloes coming into flower to!!! Take care! Pieter van der Walt Brits South Africa