Re: OT-plants: Belladonnas

At 19:53 12/04/98 -0600, you wrote:
>> Try Amaryllis Belladonna which is the equivalent for warmer climates. 
>> Gives the same effect.  
>> 
>     If I find the bulbs, I might try some.  I am trying to get some
>Crinums established.  I had a Crinum clump in Kentucky, and have seen some
>really large clumps here.  
>
>Mark A. Cook
>billc@atlantic.net
>Dunnellon, Florida.         USDA Zone 8/9  Characteristics of both.   
>
>
Howdy Mark,
	I (over here in Australia.... Zone 8.... minimum of around -8'C most
years) grow both belladonna lilies (Amaryllis Belladonna, Naked Ladies) and
the crinums.  Both tolerate our conditions here fine (and as far as I know
go much further down in temperature successfully.  Over here at least the
normal crinum is Crinum Powenii Alba (White) and there is a Crinum Powenii
Rosea (pink.... matches the belladonna lilies perfectly).  You might be
interested in trying the pink crinum if you want colour to complement the
belladonnas.

	Also, theres another flower to match that colour perfectly.  Brunsvigia (?
on spelling)..... has flower heads over 2 foot wide on maturity (True!!)
with flowers almost identical to belladonnas and with the same perfume.
Slow growing but sounds worth a go (I have my first one in the mail to me
at the moment.... $30 per bulb plus postage over here!!!).  Starts
flowering at around 8 or 9 years of age and then the flower heads increase
in size until it reaches maturity at around 12 years.  Mature bulbs the
size of a large football (i.e the oval shaped pointy type football, not the
soccer type football...... just in case anyone out there wasn't sure which
one I meant).  Thats why its expensive, but the flower head is SPECTACULAR.

	Anyhow, I hope this might be of some interest.

	All the best.

	Cheers.				Paul Tyerman (Australia .. Zone 8)
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