HAEMANTHUS
This genus may be summer, winter growing or evergreen. Their bulbs are medium to large bulbs, and are surrounded in a papery covering. Most species feature brush-like flower heads enclosed in four or more membrane-forming to fleshy spathe bracts which usually match the flower colour and, like sepals, protect the flower heads from damage and breaking apart. The flower is an umbel of many small flowers, surrounded by a large fleshy spathe (a large bract between the flower and the leaf, which encloses the flower cluster). In most cases the flowers are produced before the leaves, except in the evergreen species where leaves are present during the blooming period. The fruit is a soft, fleshy berry.
Haemanthus species are best grown in a very well drained, raised bed or a large pot.

HAEMANTHUS ALBIFLOS

Haemanthus albiflos has a long flowering duration extending from early April to as late as July (autumn and winter) in the wild, but sporadic blooms may also appear at any time of the year under cultivation. The flower head (known as an umbel in botanical terms) is compact, usually about 30-50 mm wide, and incorporates an abundance of erect, narrow white flowers, enveloped by several broad, greenish-white bracts. The upright stamens protrude noticeably beyond the tips of the flowers and their anthers turn bright yellow or orange when ripe. The ripe fruit is a most attractive bright orange or red fleshy berry producing a distinctive musty odour.

GROWING HAEMANTHUS ALBIFLOS
H. albiflos requires a dappled shade position similar to that preferred by clivias, and likes to remain undisturbed for many years once established.
They do not like heavy clay type soils. Their growing zone must be well aerated and adequately drained. You can improve the growing media, by mixing into the soil equal parts of well rotted compost mixed with a sharp sand. Plant the greenish bulbs with the upper half exposed. When replanting spread the thick fleshy roots horizontally over the ground. Haemanthus albiflos is an ideal plant for shady rock gardens or difficult parts of the garden which receive poor light and where they can be left alone to increase over the years.
Haemanthus albiflos makes an exquisite plant for growing in plastic or terracotta containers and these need not be deep as the roots naturally spread out horizontally.
H. albiflos can be grown very successfully on a shady verandah and it is also suitable as an indoor plant in most situations.They should be placed in a position where it will receive dappled light, but not direct sunlight. They prefer to become pot bound and the mature bulbs will flower reliably every year. You only need to divided the bulbs every seven or eight years when flowering performance shows signs of diminishing.
H. albiflos is not hardy and needs to be grown under the protection of the cool greenhouse in areas which receive very cold wintery conditions.