Scadoxus bulbs, plants and species

Scadoxus were previously known as Haemanthus but have recently been renamed, so lets not get confused. Scadoxus puniceus is also known as the paintbrush lily these are a summer flowering bulb that require a little space as the bulb itself is quite large. The flower appears first on a single stalk and rise dramatically to appear like a 'red paintbrush'. The flower will last 3-4 weeks and will then die back to be followed by large strap like leaves.

Other forms differ with Scadoxus cyrtanthiflorus having wonderful hanging flowers, while Scadoxus multiflorus have more open flowers.

Being a winter dormant bulb from South Africa they do require a well drained position and a dry dormancy, although we grow ours in a large terra cotta pot in the rather damp Dandenong ranges outside of melbourne, we provide little protection from the elements and it seems to thrive.