How many gardeners have grown a Malgas lily? Our guess is, very few. This beauty, whose real name is Ammocharis longifolia, is an Amaryllid (cousin of the commonly grown genus, Hippeastrum). This is the first time that this summer-flowering species has bloomed for us, adding another member of the genus that thrives here, in addition to the early spring-flowering Ammocharis corranica. This native to South Africa’s Western Cape is a bulb with steamroller flattened glaucous foliage that hugs the ground. The common name, Malgas lily, hails from Malgas, a tiny town of 44 people, reportedly named after a native bird, the Cape gannet (Morus capensis). So far, our Malgas lily has survived 11 degrees F in the garden with no protection. If we get good seed set, we hope to eventually be able to share. We also have an out-of-sync re-blooming plant of Ammorcharis corranica, which allowed us to make hybrid crosses using both plants as the seed parent. Fingers crossed.
Beautiful! I’ve not heard of this particular Amaryllid before now. Hardy! Are they fragrant? I like the fact that they are low flowering, and would be an excellent addition to any garden by adding a different “level” of color.
Honestly, we were so busy pollinating them, we forgot to see if they were fragrant. Ooops.
Beautiful! Love it! Like the fact that it comes up so late. Need more of those. Will be looking for it.
Thanks.
Mary