Amaryllis Belladonna Naked Ladies, Surprise Lily are Blooming

 There are many common names for this Amaryllis Belladonna but the most common name is the naked-lady-lily.  Amaryllis belladonna is derived from “Italian belladonna which means beautiful lady.  I will agree that this flower when it blooms it brightens your yard with beauty.

Whatever you call these showy funnel-shaped flowers that grow on a leafless stem they are blooming now and the sweet fragrance is lingering in the air. The hummingbirds are feeding on the nectar and it's a glorious time to outdoors enjoying your flower garden.

I planted them in my yard a decade ago with a dozen bulbs and they have naturalized all over my yard and garden I have even seen a few growing in the woods. I suspect that a bird ate the seeds and this is why the flowers are now blooming in the middle of the woods but I am not certain because I have tried to plant the seeds in a sunny location where the soil was well-drained. I dug a shallow hole and just lightly covered the seeds. None of the seeds that I planted grew into a late summer naked-lady bloom. I will see green leaves in the spring but flowers take a long time and are well worth the wait.

Here are a few photographs of Amaryllis Belladonna’s / naked ladies that grow in my yard and gardens.

Daylilies Add Color and Interest to Sun Gardens

 Ten years ago I planted a dozen daylilies and over the years they naturalized and now I have hundreds of lilies blooming in my gardens. I never dreamed I would have so many lilies in my gardens and have enjoyed the colorful blooms. I find this beautiful flower has added interest to my yard and gardens.

Know that the lily flowers look sensational when grown in masses. The blooms are very large and the orange color is vibrant against the green foliage. I have one lily that is very large 6 inches across with a yellow center and it is admired by all that see it.

Lilies are easy to grow in average well-drained soil. However, they do need to be planted in full to part sun. Know that my summers are very hot and find that the roots need to be shaded and the flower head needs sun. To help retain moisture and keep the roots cool with natural cedar mulch and I also hydrate the flowers in the morning with a slow-drip soaking hose.

Unlike the Asiatic lily which is a long-lived lily the daylily blooms for only one day so it's not a good idea to cut them for floral arrangements. Best to just enjoy them blooming in your yard and garden.

Here are photographs of the lilies that bloom in my gardens.