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| Category: Bulb/Tuber/Rhizome etc. |
| Family: Amaryllidaceae (Onions) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Synonyms: [x Amargyia parkeri 'Alba'?] |
| Height: 2-3 feet |
| Width: 2-3 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Amaryllis belladonna 'Alba' (White Naked Lady) - A hardy bulb in mild-winter regions with long, dull-green leaves that emerge in fall and die back in late spring, forming foliage clumps to 18 inches tall by 3 feet across. Tall flower stalks appear in late summer with clusters of trumpet-shaped, fragrant white flowers, while the foliage is dormant. Will grow in nearly any soil type, as long as it drains well. Plant in full sun. Low water needs. These plants are grown from division of plants originally supplied by the late Jim Prine, a Santa Barbara gardener and friend to the nursery. The genus name Amaryllis comes from the Greek word 'amarysso' which means "to sparkle". In Greek mythology, Amaryllis was a shepherdess and singer and it is thought that she was the inspiration for the name of the plant with its beautiful pink flowers. The specific epithet belladonna is derived from the Italian bella donna, which means beautiful lady. Typically called Naked Lady in the U.S. because the flowering occurs when the foliage is not present but other common names include Jersey Lily, Belladonna-lily and March lily in the southern hemisphere. The British tend to call it Jersey Lily because of a famous painting title "A Jersey Lily" that show the English actress, Lily Langtry (1853-1929) holding the flower. The title was in reference to Langtry being from the island of Jersey but many took it as the name of the flower and so it became widely known as the "Jersey Lily". It is thought that the Portuguese probably brought the amaryllis bulb from South Africa to Europe as early as the 16th century. There is considerable confusion as to whether the plant that has been in cultivation in California is actually the true Amaryllis belladonna or if early hybrids from the 19th century between Amaryllis belladonna and Brunsvigia josephinae, a bi-generic hybrid called x Amargyia parkeri, that was more vigorous and had more flowers that we held in a rounded head, replaced the species as the dominant plant. Certainly the plants we have grown as Amaryllis belladonna hybrids were the result of later such hybridization but some claim that all of the Naked Ladies currently grown share this parentage. While this argument continues and remains unresolved we will continue to list this common garden plants as Amaryllis belladonna.
The information about Amaryllis belladonna 'Alba' displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources we consider reliable. We will also relate those observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and in other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has additional information, particularly when they share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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