Scadoxus puniceus Bulbs (2-Pack) — Indigenous Paintbrush Lilies for Dappled Shade 🌿🎨🔥

Turn quiet shade into a showstopper. Scadoxus puniceus (the beloved Paintbrush Lily) sends up bold, brush-like scarlet blooms that make you smile every time you pass. Indigenous. Easy. Effortlessly elegant in South African gardens. 

What you get

• 2 premium rhizomatous bulbs

• Mature height: 35–50 cm

• Level: Easy

• Flowering: early to mid-summer

• Indigenous to SA ✅

Why this plant belongs in your garden

• Shade specialist: Thrives in dappled shade or semi-shade; morning sun with afternoon shade works beautifully. Expect lush, glossy leaves and dramatic flower heads with golden anthers. You get colour where most plants sulk.

• Bird-magnet magic: Nectar draws in sunbirds and weavers—your garden comes alive. 

• Pot-perfect performer: Ideal for containers on a shaded patio or beneath trees—great for the Highveld and coastal gardens alike. 

• Low-fuss rhythm: Summer grower, winter rest. It asks for very little once it settles—so you get beauty without the graft. 

How to plant (South Africa-ready) 🌱

• Position: Shade to semi-shade; morning sun is fine, protect from harsh afternoon sun.

• Soil: Well-drained, rich in compost/leaf-mould to mimic forest litter. Your plants feel “at home” and root fast.

• Depth: Loosen soil to 20 cm. Plant with the neck at or just above the soil surface. Space ± 50 cm apart.

• Water: Weekly in summer (keep evenly moist, never soggy). In winter dormancy, keep on the dry side—just enough to prevent shrivelling.

• Frost note: Protect from frost. In colder Highveld microclimates, grow in pots you can move or cover on icy nights. 

Seasonal care (simple and quick) 🧑🌾

• Spring–Summer: Feed lightly, water regularly; enjoy the blooms.

• Autumn–Winter: Growth slows and foliage may die back—reduce watering and keep bulbs relatively dry. 

• Hands off: Scadoxus flowers best undisturbed—avoid lifting or splitting until clumps are crowded.

Design ideas 💡

• Under deciduous or evergreen trees for a bold splash of colour.

• Mixed shade containers with ferns and Asparagus setaceus for texture.

• Along a shady path where those paintbrush blooms stop guests in their tracks.

Good to know ⚠️

Toxic if ingested. Not edible. Keep away from children and pets.