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Other Names:  Torch Lily, Blood Lily, form. Haemanthus puniceus

Description:

An interesting garden or potted bulb plant that can easily be propagated by seed; a stunning orange-red bloom that resembles a paint brush, above glossy, deep green foliage; impressive when massed, and great for shady areas

Ornamental Features

Paintbrush Lily features bold spikes of orange pincushion flowers with scarlet overtones rising above the foliage from early to mid summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its glossy narrow leaves remain dark green in color throughout the season. It produces red berries in late summer.

Landscape Attributes

Paintbrush Lily is an herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and may require the occasional pruning to look its best. It is a good choice for attracting birds and bees to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Paintbrush Lily is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Paintbrush Lily will grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to full shade. Keep it well away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America.

Paintbrush Lily is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.