The 'Paintbrush Lily' sometimes referred to as the Fireball Lily, Torch Lily or Blood flower is native to Southern Africa. It used to be classed as a Haemanthus and is still often confused with that Genus. The primary difference is that Haemanthus only produce two leaves per bulb and the Scadoxus produce eight or more. These flower in spring, right through to summer and are poking their pretty little orange heads up in the Ross families garden right now.

Care

Scadoxus prefer a rich well drained soil in forst free climates. Feed with a complete slow release fertiliser such as Sudden impact for roses, Osmocote, Acticote or Garden Gold in late winter. Continue to apply liquid fertilisers such as thrive, harvest, miracle grow or maxicrop while the bulbs are growing. Bulbs can be left in the ground to naturalise over winter, but they prefer to be kept fairly dry during this period.