Scadoxus multiflorus subsp. katherinae

RHS Plant Profile

Katherine blood lily

RHS

Synonyms

Scadoxus katherinae 'Flame'
Haemanthus katherinae

Conservatory Greenhouse

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A bulbous perennial to 1.2m tall, with wavy-margined, oblong-lance-shaped leaves and stout stems bearing umbels of spidery scarlet flowers with long stamens, sometimes followed by small orange berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Ornamental bulbs - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Scadoxus are bulbous, rhizomatous, usually evergreen perennials, with spirally arranged, lance-shaped or ovate leaves and erect stems bearing terminal umbels of showy red flowers sometimes with colourful bracts, followed by red to yellow berries
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a well drained, peat-free, loam-based compost in full sun with some protection from very hot sun. Water freely when in active growth and gradually withhold water as the leaves fade for the winter.

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 19-24C (66-75F) as soon as ripe. Offsets can be separated and planted up individually in the spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required other than removing the faded leaves.

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free