Naked ladies.

Well that got your attention didn’t it?

What I’m talking about are Amaryllis belladonna. When you see them popping up in your garden and sometimes by the roadside, you know Autumn is on its way (or Fall for the Americans)

Originally from Sth Africa, they would have been brought here to Australia as a garden plant as they are quite beautiful. Unfortunately, as with so many imported plants they have become invasive in some parts of Australia.

When the temperature starts to drop and the days start to get shorter the bulb under the ground pushes out it’s flower. They can come in pink and white, and while they have their basic trumpet shape, some can have slight variations such as double petals and variations of colour in the throat of the flower.

I think they are quite beautiful and as they last well in a vase, quite useful for flower arrangements.

Once the flower ends the bulb pushes out leaves which then act to feed the bulb before they die down and the bulb becomes dormant over the drier months.

They’re starting to appear now, so that means our lazy summer days are slowly coming to an end and we can expect cooler days ahead. Autumn is my favourite time of the year, so bring it on!

Til next time!