Nerine bowdenii

The blooming of a clump of Nerine bowdenii in my garden is one of the highlights of May for me. The flowers of these bulbs have long spidery petals of a lovely sugary pink, combined with graceful stamens. Nerines belong to the Amaryllidaceae family, whose bulbs generally do well in our Sydney climate. Generally, the bulbs of this family like a well-drained sunny position (though some do well in shade) and need to be kept dry during their dormant period and given some moisture when actively growing. My nerines are right underneath a silver birch tree which takes all the available moisture in the warmer months when they are dormant; this seems to suit them. Bulbs of the Amaryllidaceae family can be grown in pots or in the ground, usually with their necks slightly above the level of the soil. On the whole, they are tough and low maintenance. They prefer to be left undisturbed, but when too congested, they should be divided when dormant. All benefit from some bulb fertiliser when in active growth and around their blooming time.

Narcissus Soleil d Or

Narcissus Soleil d Or

There are members of this family for every season of the Sydney garden. The first jonquils (Narcissus Tazetta daffodils, ht 30-40 cm) have just opened in my garden. The sweet faces of the classic 'Soleil d'Or', with its orange central cup surrounded by yellow petals and its haunting fragrance, are always welcome. I also grow 'Erlicheer', which has double-formed, creamy flowers and a lovely scent. Tulbaghia simmleri (ht 45 cm) will come into flower soon and continue through winter: it is a relative of the familiar and robust rhizomatous perennial 'society garlic' (Tulbaghia violacea) many of us grow in our gardens. Tulbaghia simmleri has larger flowers, though of the same pretty lilac colour as society garlic, and these are scented. The more-or-less evergreen leaves are broader than those of society garlic, and whilst it does well in a sunny spot, it will also bloom in dry, partly shaded sites. There is also a white-flowered version.

Hippeastrum papilio in the Sydney garden of Alida Gray

Hippeastrum papilio in the Sydney garden of Alida Gray

In my garden, the unusual Haemanthus albiflos (ht 20-30cm) starts to bloom in winter. It has broad, fleshy leaves which lie flat on the ground and produces unusual white flowers with a mass of stamens, resembling a brush. It is sometimes called the shaving brush plant! It seems to grow well in part or even heavy shade. Late winter/early spring sees the emergence of the enormous red snouts of buds of Scadoxus puniceus, which develop into flowers that starts out looking a bit like a waratah and end up resembling an enormous red brush with luminescent orange bristles on a 45 cm stem, lasting for a number of weeks. This bulb is valuable in that it grows quite well in shade. Hippeastrum blooms also start to appear in late winter and early spring. My favourite is Hippeastrum papilio (ht 50 cm), sometimes known as the butterfly amaryllis, which has huge white flowers with striking burgundy striped markings and a tinge of lime. There are many hybrid Hippeastrum (ht 60 cm), with flowers in colours of reds, orange, pinks, apricot and white, often with contrasting stripes and edgings; some have double forms.

Ipheion uniflorum

Ipheion uniflorum

Sometimes called the Ifafa lily, dainty Cyrtanthus mackenii (ht 20-30 cm) comes into bloom at the same time: its curved, trumpet-shaped flowers appear in clusters. The most often seen sort has ivory blooms. The variety cooperi has creamy-yellow flowers; another has reddish-orange blooms. The spring starflower Ipheion uniflorum (ht 15-20 cm) also blooms from late winter to early spring. Arising from grassy clumps of foliage the flowers face upwards and are shaped like simple stars. Usually seen in a shade of pale blue, there are also white, purplish and stronger blue-coloured cultivars. The bulbs grow best in part or dappled shade in Sydney, and multiply quite rapidly to form thick clumps.

Sprekelia formosissima

Sprekelia formosissima

Mid- to late spring sees the blooming of the Jacobean lily, Sprekelia formosissima (ht 30-45 cm). It has brilliant red, narrow petals, with the appearance of an exotic sculptured orchid. Its common name comes from the flower's resemblance to the red cross of the Spanish order of St Jacob of Calatrava. In late spring and early summer, the pink storm lily, Zephyranthes minuta (ht 20-30 cm), reveals its mid-pink, crocus-like flowers. It has a tendency to come into bloom after rain has fallen, hence the common name, and several flushes of flowers can be expected if there a few periods of rain later in summer. They can be grown in sun or part shade.

Hymenocallis littoralis

Hymenocallis littoralis

Around Christmastime, the beach spider lily, Hymenocallis littoralis (ht 75-90 cm) blooms. It has stout stems of large, scented, crisp white flowers: with long spidery petals around a daffodil-like cup and prominent, quivering stamens. The clumps of strappy evergreen leaves are attractive for most of the year, though can be cut back to the ground if they get a bit shabby, and they will regrow freshly. It is a most adaptable plants that will grow in sun or part shade, in boggy soil and in well-drained spots. Later in summer, different storm lilies (Zephyranthes candida ht 15-25 cm) appear: with papery white or pink flowers and thin evergreen foliage. As with Zephyranthes minuta, extra flowers can be expected if there a few periods of rain in the summer months. A related plant is Habranthus robustus (ht 20-30 cm), with similarly shaped flowers and leaves. The flowers are rose-pink, fading to white.

Lycoris radiata

Lycoris radiata

Late summer and early autumn also see the appearance of several bulbs that send up their flowering spikes almost overnight, seeming to come from nowhere, as they have no leaves when they bloom. The belladonna lily, Amaryllis belladonna, is one of the best known and easiest to grow of these bulbs, with stout stems up to 75 cm tall topped with dramatic clusters of large trumpet flowers of white, various shades of pink, or pink with a white throat, appearing in February. Lycoris species (ht 40 cm) also appear in this way, with inflorescences comprising narrow ruffled petals and long, whiskery stamens of red (Lycoris radiata) or yellow (Lycoris aurea), rather like nerines. They are the most unpredictable of bulbs, seeming to be quite affected by seasonal factors, but when the blooms do appear, they are spectacular.

Amaryllis caterpillar aka lily borer

Amaryllis caterpillar aka lily borer

The main enemy of members of the Amaryllidaceae family is the dreaded amaryllis caterpillar (also known as the lily borer), which can cause a lot of damage to the whole plant in a very short time. The most-affected bulbs seem to be Amaryllis, Hymenocallis, Zephyranthes, Haemanthus and Hippeastrum but I have had them on my nerines, and I think any of the bulbs could potentially be targeted. They also attack Clivia and Agapanthus, which are rhizomatous perennial members of the Amaryllidaceae family. Lily borers have distinctive black-and-yellow banded body of up to 40 mm in length, and they are quite repulsively soft and squishy. They are most active in the warmer months but there can be several generations of this pest in a year. They should be dealt with promptly, using a product such as Success, Eco Neem or a pyrethrum spray. They can also be picked off by hand and squashed, or else thrown into a bucket of soapy water. If left unchecked, they can bore right into the bulbs and rhizomes, and kill them. Snails can also be a problem, destroying flowers and foliage, so keep a watchout for them too!

Lily caterpillar, photo by Mary Chaplin

Lily caterpillar, photo by Mary Chaplin

Note:Since the posting of this blog, a reader has sent me a photo of a different caterpillar that attacks similar plants -- this seems to be Spodoptera picta (lily caterpillar) with stripes along the length of its body, whereas the one pictured in the previous paragraph seems to be Brithys crini (lily borer). They are both equally revolting and destructive creatures!