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Key characteristics

Family: Amaryllidaceae
Height: 24 to 36 inches
Width: 12 to 18 inches
Flower color: Rounded spherical heads of bright orange to scarlet red flowers with prominent stamens
Foliage color: Broad bright green straplike leaves arising from a short pseudostem
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Light: Partial shade to bright filtered light
Water: Moderate moisture in well drained soil with reduced watering during dormancy
Maintenance: Low; allow bulbs to rest dry during winter dormancy and protect from frost
Growing zone: USDA zones 9 to 11
Wildlife: Attracts pollinating insects

Perennials

Scadoxus puniceus

Paintbrush Lily

Scadoxus puniceus produces broad, glossy green leaves that emerge in layered pairs from a fleshy bulb, creating an upright cluster of smooth, arching foliage. In late spring to early summer, a sturdy stalk rises above the leaves bearing a rounded globe of densely packed red to orange red flowers, each narrow petal extending outward with long protruding stamens that form a vivid spherical head.

Native to southern and eastern Africa, the species grows in warm woodland regions and rocky slopes.

Light

Partial shade to bright filtered light

Water

Moderate moisture in well drained soil with reduced watering during dormancy

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Shade Gardens
Woodland Gardens
Pollinator Gardens
Rain Gardens

Companion plants

Solomon's seal · Ferns · Lungworts · Wild ginger · Hellebores · Japanese forest grass

Design tip

Summer flowers carry the middle of the season, so place it where the bed needs color once spring bulbs fade. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.