NERINE (Amaryllidaceae)

     bowdenii 'Albivetta' ~ A rarely offered form of this splendid and stalwart fall-bloomer, bearing fragrant umbels of 6 to 12 white, pink-tinged trumpet-flowers, their segments elegantly ruffled and recurved, on 18-inch scapes. The leaves emerge after flowering, and may require winter protection in the northern fringes of its hardiness range. An ideal companion for fall crocus, colchicums, aconitums, asters, and other fall-bloomers in well-drained, lean soil and sun to light shade. Flowering-size bulbs. Subtropical/Mediterranean/montane; E S Africa. Zone 7.

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     undulata ~ A smaller -- but no less ornamental -- version of N. bowdenii, this "beautiful plant" (G. S. Thomas) with beguilingly ruffled, cherry-pink petals is an obvious candidate for the sunny greenhouse or large rock garden. Subtropical/Mediterranean; S Africa. Zone 9.

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PHAEDRANASSA (Amaryllidaceae)

     dubia ~ One of the most striking members of this beautiful and unaccountably obscure genus, with six to ten fuchsia-pink, green-tipped, 2-inch-long tubular flowers suspended from 18-inch scapes in summer, above unusual stalked leaves. Something quite apart. Winter-dormant. Montane; Peruvian Andes. Zone 8.

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RHODOHYPOXIS (Hypoxidaceae)

     baurii 'Appleblossom' ~ A lovable sprite, featuring constellations of soft lilac-pink, 1-inch-wide flowers from June through August, attractive grassy leaves, and remarkable hardiness (provided it is kept reasonably dry in winter). Unsurpassed as a rock garden or container plant in a sunny, well-drained spot. Subtropical/montane; S Africa. Zone 6. AGM

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     baurii 'Fred Broome' ~ An excellent, vigorous, rich candy-pink selection with creamy undertones. Subtropical/montane; S Africa. Zone 6. AM

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RHODOPHIALA (Amaryllidaceae)
Oxblood lily

     pratensis ~ Here is one of the best of a genus which, despite its close relation and resemblance to Hippeastrum and Habranthus, is still poorly represented in gardens. Brilliant orange-red flowers, like miniature "amaryllis" blooms, bedeck 12-inch scapes in late summer or early fall, just as the grassy leaves emerge for their winter growth period. Native to the coastal desert of north-central Chile, it requires sharp drainage and sun, and makes a good pot plant. Zone 9.

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     unidentified species ~ A Rhodophiala of a different color: pale orange-yellow, to be exact. Although we don't know its name, we do know it likes sun and well-drained soil. Zone 9?

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ROSCOEA (Zingiberaceae)

     auriculata ~ One of the larger members (20 inches tall) of this highly distinctive and desirable genus, with bright purple, late summer flowers, their upright, 1-1/2-inch "hood" and drooping, 2-1/2-inch "lip" giving the impression of an orchid. The 10-inch-long, lance-shaped leaves are dilatory, often not emerging until late May. It prefers partial shade, leafy soil, and deep planting. Montane; Himalayas. Zone 6.

1/$5.50    5/$23    10/$38

     cautleoides ~ An absolutely breathtaking primrose-yellow analogue of the above, flowering with the new foliage in June. Perhaps our favorite species of one of our favorite genera. Subtropical/montane; S China. Zone 6.

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     cautleoides 'Jeffrey Thomas' ~ The flowers of this new and outstanding form have a contrasting pale-cream lip rather than the customary yellow. Scrumptious. Subtropical/montane; S China. Zone 6.

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     scillifolia ~ An elegant little species well suited to the partially shaded rock garden or cool greenhouse, bearing pink, 1-1/2-inch flowers on 10-inch stems in midsummer. Like the others, it is slow to emerge in spring. Tropical; S China. Zone 7.

1/$4    5/$17    10/$28

     'Beesiana' ~ With R. auriculata and R. cautleoides as parents, how could it go wrong? Moonlight yellow, mauve-brushed flowers on 20-inch stems in summer. Large and lovely. Zone 6.

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SANDERSONIA (Colchicaceae)

     aurantiaca ~ A comely and curious species, whose odd, finger-like corms give rise to semi-climbing, 2-foot stems, set in midsummer with nodding, 1-inch flowers that resemble orange chef's hats. A marvelous pot plant, preferring sun and well-drained soil. Winter-dormant. Subtropical; S Africa. Zone 9.

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SAUROMATUM (Araceae)
Voodoo lily

     venosum ~ Another aroid from the Dark Side, more than a little sinister in its cobra-hooded, lizard-tongued, purple-splotched, fetid inflorescence that emerges in early summer, preceding the solitary, 2- to 3-foot-long, deeply lobed -- and highly ornamental -- leaf. Creepy, but cool (and the perfect candidate for a downwind pot). This wintered reliably in a Boston-area garden of our acquaintance. Montane/tropical; Himalayan foothills. Zone 7. 24+cm tubers.

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SPREKELIA (Amaryllidaceae)
Jacobean lily

     formosissima ~ Imagine an amaryllis doing an impression of an orchid, or perhaps a scarlet-cowled elf doing jumping jacks, and you'll have the gist of this long-time greenhouse favorite (introduced in the 17th century), whose solitary, 4-inch, asymmetric flowers pose on 1-foot scapes in June above glossy, strap-shaped leaves. Tropical/subtropical; Mexico. Zone 9. 16+cm bulbs.

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