Hippeastrum x johnsonii

(St. Joseph's Lily)

Habit and Cultural Information
Category: Bulb/Tuber/Rhizome etc.
Family: Amaryllidaceae (Onions)
Origin: Garden Origin
Flower Color: Red
Bloomtime: Spring
Fragrant Flowers: Yes
Synonyms: [Amaryllis johnsonii, A. brasiliensis]
Parentage: (H. reginae x H.vittata)
Height: 1-2 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Exposure: Sun or Shade
Deer Tolerant: Yes
Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs
Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F

Hippeastrum x johnsonii (St. Joseph's Lily) - This semi-evergreen bulb multiplies rapidly to form
masses of broad green strap-shaped leaves to 30 inches long by 1 1/2 inches wide that can take on
coppery tones when grown in full sun. In early April and May bulbs produce up to 4 stems that bear
4 to 6 flowers apiece. These flowers, with a spicy fragrance, have 6 gracefully recurved scarlet-red
tepals, each with a central white stripe, producing a star like pattern in the center of the flower. Plant
this bulb in full to part sun and irrigate during dry summer months to maintain foliage or allow it to go
dormant. This plant can thrive in heavy clays soils but it does best in colder climates if the soil drains
well. This is the hardiest of the Amaryllis and can be grown in USDA Zone 7, which can experience
winter temperatures to 0°F. In these climates this bulb is winter deciduous but in warmer locations it
is nearly evergreen. Hippeastrum x johnsonii grows well in containers but is shy to flower unless
planted in the ground. It is noted by some as resistant to deer browsing. Hippeastrum x johnsonii
(formerly Amaryllis johnsonii) is commonly referred to as Hardy Amaryllis, Johnson's Amaryllis or the
St. Joseph's Lily. While this plant is rarely offered in nurseries it can be found in older gardens and
cemeteries, particularly in southern California, the southeast and in Texas.
Characteristics Bloom Time Flower Color
Deer resistant Late spring Scarlet, red
Fragrant Light Exposure Height
Hummingbirds Full sun, Mostly sunny 20in
Butterflies Soil Condition Spread
Container plant Average, Organic, Sandy, 24in
Clay
Ease of Culture Hardiness Zones
Moisture Tolerance
Easy to grow 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Dry, Moderately moist
Plant Type
Pot Size
Perennial
bare root bulb
lant Habit: Herb/Forb

Life cycle: Perennial

Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Water Preferences: Mesic

Minimum cold Zone 7a -17.8 °C (0 °F) to -15 °C (5 °F)

hardiness:

Leaves: Semi-evergreen

Flowers: Showy
Fragrant

Flower Color: Red

Bi-Color

Underground Bulb
structures:

Resistances: Deer Resistant

Propagation: Other Bulbs

methods:

Parentage: Hippeastrum reginae X Hippeastrum vittatum.