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They're Naked in the Garden!

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I've always been enchanted with Naked Ladies, the pale pink flowers that seem to magically appear in late summer. Several years ago they were offering bulbs at a Master Gardener Plant Exchange. I picked up one of the coconut sized bulbs and decided to give it a try.

I did some research and found the experts said the bulbs didn't like to be moved so it might be a while before they bloomed. Okay... Next year lovely strap like leaves, but no flowers. Ditto for year number two. This year, lovely spring leaves that died to the ground, and then, in August , stalks with large terminal bulbs seemed to appear overnight. The stalks shot up rapidly then beautiful pink flowers unfurled.

The common name, Naked Ladies, comes from the fact that there are no leaves present when they bloom. The plant is also known as Pink Lady, Resurrection Lily and Magic Lily. It's not a lily, but is in the Amaryllis family. I'm just happy the ladies finally arrived!

Naked Ladies, before. (Photo by Karen Metz)

Naked Ladies, before. (Photo by Karen Metz)

Naked Ladies, after. (Photo by Karen Metz)

Naked Ladies, after. (Photo by Karen Metz)

Posted on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 11:46 AM

Author: Karen Metz

Tags: flowering bulbs (1), gardening (377), Master Gardeners (405), naked ladies (2), plant exchange (4)

Comments:

1.

The fragrant Naked Lady is my absolute favorite! These plants are amazing, I transplanted bulbs into our garden that were originally planted by my grandmother in the 1950's! They bloom every August and we have even been getting some white flowers among the pinks.

Posted by Sharon Leos on September 7, 2011 at 9:36 AM

2.

I planted a couple bulbs 2 years ago. I was getting impatient with no flowers. Now I see that I might have a year or two to go yet. Thanks for the information!

Posted by Teresa Lavell on September 7, 2011 at 11:27 AM

3.

Growing up on an Victorian "estate," I have fond memories of Naked Ladies. When my parents moved some old concrete statutory (don't ask), the bulldozer uncovered dozens of bulbs buried too deep to bloom. Planted in better conditions, they are still blooming decades later. I have to admit though, that at the time I was quite unhappy with being tasked with planting them myself -- I had to use a pickaxe to dig through the clay!

Posted by Erin Mahaney on September 9, 2011 at 9:20 AM

4.

Wow! These were worth the wait! Gotta get some!

Posted by Kathy M Gunther on September 10, 2011 at 9:28 AM

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