Everyone has seen a Naked Lady flower at least once in their lives. But did you know that these exquisite flowers come in a wide variety? If not, this is the right place for you. After reading the article, you should be able to recognize naked ladies' flowers from a distance.
Naked ladies flowers are one of the most unique-looking flowers that can charm you and visitors to your garden. These flowers are seen as symbols of strength, determination, and pride because of their height. They stand tall above all other plants and grab attention.
The way they bloom is like a mystery. Initially, you'll see the plant covered in slender green leaves. Then slowly, as the spring approaches, all those leaves get replaced by stunning flowers. Additionally, their lovely, strong fragrance is the cherry on the cake, making naked ladies flowers a good choice.
Moreover, the naked lady flower is a native of South Africa, where people cultivate them for ornamental uses. They bloom perfectly in a warm environment, and this has helped people all across the globe to grow them in other regions as well. So, it doesn't matter in which part of the world you live, as long as you can give them a warm environment and sunlight, they'll keep on blooming.
You might now be ready to pick them based on these features. But do you know which naked lady flower to choose? These flowers come in different options, and each has its unique characteristic. Although there's a commonality, all are beautiful, fragrant, and have punchy colors.
So, if you are trying to pick one for yourself, this article can help you. You will get information on all the essential aspects that can help you choose a lady lily for your garden.
Let's get started!
What Are Naked Lady Flowers?
The scientific name of naked ladies lilies is Amaryllis, and they belong to the Amaryllis Belladonna genus. Naked lily is the only genus in the Amaryllidaceae tribe, making them unique in their characteristics.
Amaryllis or naked ladies are small groups of flowering bulbs with each bulb of about 5-10 cm (roughly 2-4") in diameter. Amaryllis belladonna is a genus of approximately 70 species. These lovely flowers have been around for thousands of years, but only recently have they become popular.
This species was initially found in parts of South Africa's Western Cape, producing clusters of brilliant flowers. These plants are covered with long and slender leaves during the fall and winter seasons. When spring arrives, the colorful leaves perish, and beautiful, punchy colored flowers take their place.
Moreover, different types of lady lilies have different blooming periods, from late winter to early summer. Mostly they start blooming during the beginning of March in the shades of reds and oranges.
These flowers are known as "naked ladies flowers" because of how they look when they are all grown up. If you look at them closely, their shape is somewhat similar to a ballerina skirt, and it seems like they are dancing altogether.
Additionally, lady lilies are also known as Easter lilies, Surprise Lilies, and Jersey Lilies due to similar resemblance with lily flowers.
Types of Naked Ladies Flowers For Your Garden
There are six major types of naked ladies flowers found across the globe. Each is equally beautiful and appealing, yet they have the distinctions that make them different.
Easter Lily
The first one on our list is the Easter lily, a native of the southern parts of Japan, also known as Lilium longiflorum. But, they are now being grown throughout North America, too, because of their attention-grabbing white petals and fragrance. These white naked lilies are one of the most attractive flowers that will undoubtedly add to your garden's beauty.
Generally, the Easter lilies reach a height of up to 90cm (3'). If taken care of properly, the best time of their blooming period is from early summer to the end of fall. Their blooming period also makes them a perfect pick for Easter holiday decorations. The structure of the easter lily has five gorgeous-looking white petals that are joined at the bottom.
Lilium longiflorum is an easy plant to grow, and it thrives in a wide range of climates. These flowers can be grown indoors or outdoors, making for beautiful garden accents. This flower is also popular as a cut flower. It can be your perfect pick for adding elegance to any arrangement.
Red Spider Lily
Well, the name says it all about the appearance of this naked lady flower. It has stamens shaped like spider legs, but there's a difference; their orientation is upwards. It's a perpetual flower plant that belongs to the spiderwort family. Additionally, the red spider is a native of Southeast Asia and is mainly found in China, Japan, and the Philippines.
You can witness full bloom red spiders during the late summers and early fall. They are funnel-shaped bright red flowers that look mesmerizing when planted in groups.
The red spider doesn't have proper petals; it has unique-looking stamens. Beneath those stamens, it has pale striped leaves that are equally distinctive and provide a unique look to the flower. The foliage of a red spider can grow up to 45cm (18"). Also, they have slender thread-like filaments at the margins on the foliage.
Moreover, the Red Spider Lily is hardy in USDA Zones 7 to 10 (climate zones). However, it needs protection from cold spells in colder climes. Potted specimens may be brought inside or underneath during the winter months. Large or hefty pots can be placed on a plant caddy for easy transportation.
Surprise Lily
Its scientific name is Lycoris squamigera and is popularly known as surprise lily or magic lily. The surprise lily is mainly found in the parts of China and Japan, but at present many other countries also have the availability of this naked lady flower.
It's a bulb-shaped flower with long and thin leaves that are dense green in color. It's called surprise lily because its blooming is quite unusual. It can grow in the middle of nowhere and make any location scenic with its beauty. Surprise lily is highly fragrant, and its flowers are white or pale pink. When proper care is given, a bear cluster of 6 to 8 blooms can grow up to a height of 30cm (2').
Additionally, surprise lilies are very demanding; they require much attention and care. Regular watering, cleaning, and adequately fertilizing the soils are essential to make them bloom longer. Moreover, the most need for watering is during the spring and summer, and during winters, they don't require much watering.
March Lily
The Western Cape is the motherland of the March lily, which also goes by the name belladonna lily. Although it isn't a particularly demanding plant, growing March lily in most regions is challenging. March lilies thrive only if the soil is adequately drained.
It may reach a height of 20-23cm (8-9") when grown outside in colder climes, but it is usually smaller. In temperate regions or when cultivated indoors, these plants can develop to a size of up to 45cm (18") tall. March lily is fragrant and comes in various colors, including white, pinkish-yellow, greenish-yellow.
March lilies have grass-like and pointy edges shaped leaves. Its bulbs are large and oval in shape, much like an egg, and this plant also has fibrous roots. Fibrous roots help absorb water and minerals properly from a large solid surface, meaning much better growth.
March lilies are beautiful and have significant ornamental value. The plants are frequently used to prepare attractive arrangements both inside and outside homes throughout their bloom season from February through April.
Lastly, practice placing March lilies in partial shade or full sun to ensure proper growth. Plus, keep the soil moist and choose good quality draining soil.
Amaryllis Paradisicola
In the entire list of types of naked ladies flowers, Amaryllis paradisicola is the only one that is hardly found in the home gardens. It's native to South Africa and can be seen around the Richtersveld National Park. One crucial point about them is that they are endangered species. Baboons and other creatures' attacks are the primary reason behind their fewer sightings.
The blooms on Amaryllis Paradisicola are arranged in rings of 10 to 20 flowers. The blossoms are light pink and become darker as they mature. Moreover, as Amaryllis Paradisicola plants like cool soil, they typically bloom in early fall.
Amaryllis Paradisicola has longer stamens and broader leaves when compared to Amaryllis Belladonna. Even the stigma is deeply trifid in Paradisicola, distinguishing its look from Belladonna.
Jersey Lily
Jersey Lily, also known as belladonna lily, is a South African native. Its abundant and stunning blooms make it a popular ornamental plant. The jersey lily has large, bulbous leaves and light-pink flowers. It's a perennial plant that lives for at least two years on average.
The plant sheds all of its leaves in the spring and produces trumpet-shaped blooms. These flowers can reach up to 10cm (4") in length, but they are generally smaller. They develop in clusters of two to 12 blossoms on completely leafless stems, giving them a distinctive appearance that belies their size.
Moreover, jersey lilies are low-maintenance flowers and are resistant to most pests and diseases. They flourish well in full sun or partial shade and can tolerate various soils, but they do best in sandy or loamy soils. So, if you're looking for an easy-to-grow flower that will add some beauty to your garden, then the jersey lily is worth considering.
The name "jersey lily" was given to the plant in honor of English singer and actress Lillie Langtry. Langtry was a notable celebrity in the 19th century, and she was often photographed with a bouquet of belladonna lilies. The plant's popularity has only grown since then, and it is now commonly found in gardens around the world.
How to Grow Amaryllis Belladonna?
To get started, you'll need to get an Amaryllis belladonna bulb. When selecting a bulb, make sure to choose one that is plump and has no signs of damage. You'll also want to choose a bulb that is the right size for the container you plan to use.
Once you have your bulb, it's time to plant and take good care until it blooms.
- Start by filling the container with potting soil.
- Make sure you choose only draining soil so that the roots can absorb water properly when placed in the sun.
- Then, place the bulb in the soil with the pointed end tip facing up. Cover the bulb with soil, making sure to leave the top of the bulb exposed.
- Once your Amaryllis belladonna is planted, it's essential to water it regularly.
- Place the pot on a spot where the temperature stays above 15.5°C (60°F).
- The warmer the temperature, the quicker the bulb will bud and develop.
- Keep the soil moist but not wet.
- Water the bulb only when the top inch of the potting mix is dry to touch. The bulb may rot if you water too often, especially after potting.
The majority of Amaryllis belladonna bloom in approximately 2-8 weeks. Some varieties of naked ladies' flowers may take longer to sprout. Be patient and careful not to overwater your bulb as long as it is hardy.
When your Amaryllis belladonna starts blooming, keep it in a sunny spot. They love sunlight!
Moreover, these naked ladies look much more attractive when planted in groups. So, try planting at least three to five buds touching each other. The group will look fantastic when they grow up.
Placement Ideas for Amaryllis Belladonna Flowers
Amaryllis belladonna flowers can be grown indoors or outdoors. They love sunlight. So while they are perfect for growing outdoors, you may even grow them inside as long as they have access to sunlight.
You can use one of these placements to get the most out of their looks:
- Plant them with the low bushes and shrubs in the front of your garden, or use them as a part of your flower bed edging.
- The natural height of these blooms makes for excellent cut flowers for indoor arrangements and looks great when planted in large groups.
- Another thing to consider is planting them behind other plants, so their long stems aren't visible.
- Additionally, the group of Amaryllis belladonna looks good when planted in stone gardens. They can look good as backgrounds and can be used to highlight the garden shape.
Moreover, these plants are versatile, which means you can get creative with your formations. You can build unique placements that can help your garden stand out. Keep in mind that the design of their plantation will differ with their types. So, you may have to do some hits and trials to get a final look.
Final Words
If you're trying to make your garden something different and want to add some interest and beauty to your garden, consider planting naked ladies flowers. They come in many colors and can be grown just about anywhere. There's no reason not to add these lovely blooms to your landscape.
