Haemanthus albiflos positioning

[Rivera]

Anyone growing Haemanthus albiflos in coastal California?

There's not a consensus on horticultural requirements among online resources. Average guidelines would indicate part shade/dappled light and light to moderate summer water. One New Zealand nursery suggested full sun. 

Any cultural suggestions welcome.

Below is Haemanthus coccineus growing in the San Francisco Botanical Garden under what appear to be moderately dry conditions based on surrounding companion plants. It's a different species, but these are mostly growing in full sun and look good. No staff available to ask about them when I took the photo.

I'm inclined to think H. albiflos can take full sun if they grow along South Africa's coastal strand as most of the vegetation is low growing. 

[Silas_Sancona]

20 minutes ago, Rivera said:

Anyone growing Haemanthus albiflos in coastal California?

There's not a consensus on horticultural requirements among online resources. Average guidelines would indicate part shade/dappled light and light to moderate summer water. One New Zealand nursery suggested full sun. 

Any cultural suggestions welcome.

Below is Haemanthus coccineus growing in the San Francisco Botanical Garden under what appear to be moderately dry conditions based on surrounding companion plants. It's a different species, but these are mostly growing in full sun and look good. No staff available to ask about them when I took the photo.

I'm inclined to think H. albiflos can take full sun if they grow along South Africa's coastal strand as most of the vegetation is low growing. 

Imagine they shouldn't have an issue w/ full sun where you're located, but,  you might look over Genus info via the Pac. Bulb Society.. and Telos Rare Bulbs.   Didn't get a chance to try these myself when in San Jose but know they're grown in the bigger gardens all over S. Cal ( Huntington, L.A. Arb. Lotusland, etc ) so hey can tolerate some deg. sun / heat / drought.

Not relevant in your case perhaps, but,  Further inland?   i myself would tuck them in more shade.

@Tracy has been trying these where he's at down south.

[Tracy]

On 2/27/2024 at 2:32 PM, Rivera said:

Anyone growing Haemanthus albiflos in coastal California?

I'm growing several species of Haemanthus in my garden including H albiflos.  All except this species were acquired from Telos Rare Bulbs, but I still looked at Telos website on planting recommendations.  This one was put in the ground just this last year and flowered earlier this winter.  I followed Telos recommendations for putting it in a partially shaded position.  I have seen these at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park in San Pasqual Valley (I may be calling it the wrong name, but that was the name of the Zoo back in the 70's and for decades thereafter).  The specimens there are all planted under trees so filtered to indirect bright light.  We probably can get by with more sun exposure on the coast, particularly where the longest days are normally under a marine layer in May and June.  I know that the normal "sunny days" where you are don't typically arrive until late August and into September, when days are beginning to shorten, limiting the full sun exposure compared to the summer solstice. 

If you have a couple of bulbs, you can experiment and plant one in full sun, and the other in part day to see how they do for you.  The species I am giving the most sun to is Haemanthus pauculifolius .  You can see new growth which is deep green on my Haemanthus albiflos in the photo below.  Good luck and let us know how they perform for you.

[Rivera]

3 hours ago, Tracy said:

I'm growing several species of Haemanthus in my garden including H albiflos.  All except this species were acquired from Telos Rare Bulbs, but I still looked at Telos website on planting recommendations.  This one was put in the ground just this last year and flowered earlier this winter.  I followed Telos recommendations for putting it in a partially shaded position.  I have seen these at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park in San Pasqual Valley (I may be calling it the wrong name, but that was the name of the Zoo back in the 70's and for decades thereafter).  The specimens there are all planted under trees so filtered to indirect bright light.  We probably can get by with more sun exposure on the coast, particularly where the longest days are normally under a marine layer in May and June.  I know that the normal "sunny days" where you are don't typically arrive until late August and into September, when days are beginning to shorten, limiting the full sun exposure compared to the summer solstice. 

If you have a couple of bulbs, you can experiment and plant one in full sun, and the other in part day to see how they do for you.  The species I am giving the most sun to is Haemanthus pauculifolius .  You can see new growth which is deep green on my Haemanthus albiflos in the photo below.  Good luck and let us know how they perform for you.

Helpful, thanks Tracy!

[Rivera]

Update: I made a little bit of space and planted out some Haemanthus albiflos next to the Dudleya garden. These are definitely cool season growers, as I got bulbs late winter/early spring and they sat dormant in their pots until about a month ago. One has its first flower, but other than that they don't look like much yet. 

With regard to position, they burned a bit when they got too much sun so I tucked them under the dappled light of a couple Howea belmoreana.