Naked Lady Lily is one of only two true Amaryllis species. The Christmas Amaryllis belongs to the genus Hippeastrum.

Naked Lady Lily is unique and garners its name because the leaves have already died back by the time it flowers. Leaves start growing in late winter or early spring and start to die back in early summer. By late summer or early fall, the two-foot-tall flower stalks have started to push up from the ground. Shortly after, large, pink, trumpet-shaped flowers appear. Without their leaves, these stately stems appear ‘naked’. They often bloom in clusters of three to five sweetly fragrant flowers. These can be cut and used in flower arrangements or simply admired in the garden.

Extremely drought tolerant, bulbs of Naked Lady Lily should be planted just below the soil surface. They have survived temperatures here in the upper 20s. Generally considered hardy to Zone 7, plants in colder areas may need a thick layer of mulch. They can also be grown in containers and overwintered indoors. Alternatively, gardeners in colder climates can grow them as annuals or dig up and store the bulbs for planting the following year. Where they successfully overwinter, they can naturalize, spreading by offsets and occasionally by seed.

Amaryllis belladonna bulbs and leaves are toxic and should be kept away from children, pets, and livestock. Because of their toxicity, the plants are generally considered deer and rabbit resistant. At the same time, their flowers attract pollinators, including butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.

Naked Lady Lily is also known as Belladonna Lily, Jersey Lily, and March Lily. Whatever you call it, you will not be disappointed with this strikingly unique plant.