{"title":"Sprekelia","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSprekelia\u003c\/em\u003e is a small genus of 2 exotic Mexican and Central American \u003ca title=\"Shop all amaryllids\" href=\"..\/collections\/amaryllids\"\u003eamaryllid\u003c\/a\u003e species that are close relatives of \u003ca title=\"zephyranthes\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/zephyranthes\"\u003ezephyranthes\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"habranthus\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/habranthus\"\u003ehabranthus\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca title=\"rhodophiala\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/rhodophiala\"\u003erhodophiala\u003c\/a\u003e. Sprekelia grows to about 1ft (30cm) tall and produces large, scarlet-red, 5in (13cm) diameter flowers with narrow petals during the late spring and summer. The only species that is grown widely in gardens is the relatively large flowered \u003cem\u003eS. formosissima\u003c\/em\u003e. The other species, \u003cem\u003eS. howardii\u003c\/em\u003e, is much less winter-hardy, is smaller, has narrower petals, and is relegated to rare plant collectors and botanic gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSprekelia (Aztec Lily) Growing Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSprekelia is somewhat petulant if disturbed or if conditions are not perfect and may not bloom every year. It is best to plant multiple bulbs in an area so that you can have at least one bloom every year. Aztec lily is easy to grow and prefers full sun, well-drained, rich, slightly acidic soil, and dry conditions during winter. Once established, it is drought-tolerant but performs best with consistent moisture during its active growth period. Sprekelia is one of the parent genera of the intergeneric hybrid x Hippeastrelia.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sprekelia-formosissima","title":"Sprekelia formosissima","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca title=\"See additional Aztec lilies\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/sprekelia\"\u003eAztec lily\u003c\/a\u003e is one of those plants that is so spectacular and reliable, we can't imagine gardening without it. What appears to be a tender woodland plant is, in fact, native to rock outcrops in the Mexican mountains. For us, Sprekelia formosissima has performed best in our dry rock scree in full baking sun. For those in the Deep South, some afternoon shade is best. Sprekelia formosissima bulbs multiply nicely to make a clump of narrow green leaves which burst into flower in early April and continue through May. After a summer rest, sprekelia usually reflower in the fall. The 6\" brilliant red flowers most closely resemble a delicate hippeastrum...truly stunning!\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch3\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhere Sprekelia is winter-hardy, generally \u003ca title=\"Zone 7b plants\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/zone-7-plants\"\u003eZone 7b\u003c\/a\u003e and warmer, it is very low maintenance, needing little more than removing foliage killed by frost in the fall. Aztec lilies can go for years without being divided and still bloom, though a greater rate of increase can be had by dividing every 3 to 5 years. The crowded bulbs once liberated will more rapidly grow to blooming size.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSprekelia should be no more difficult than a Hippeastrum (commonly known as amaryllis) to grow in a container and overwinter in a frost free location in areas where it is not winter-hardy. It can be kept dormant all winter in a cool frost-free location, withholding water until spring when it can go outside for the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Conditions:\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA full sun location is probably best in Zone 7, perhaps part day sun in hotter parts of its range. Average soil. Though very drought tolerant it will make use of available moisture so it does not need to be protected from wet at any point in the year other than avoiding a soggy soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eNomenclature:\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSprekelia's specific epithet \"formosissima\" indicates not only that it is beautiful but very beautiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eNatural Impact:\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSprekelia's spectacular blooms will stop most people in their tracks. It's growth habit is much like \u003ca title=\"Hippeastrum\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/hippeastrum\"\u003eHippeastrum\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Crinums\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/crinum\"\u003eCrinums\u003c\/a\u003e, and other members of the amaryllis family, forming a clump of strap shaped leaves with flowers borne on the top of a naked scape. It might be used as a single specimen or in masses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21026625797,"sku":"5279","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Sprekelia-formosissima.i-5279.s-68546.r-1.jpg?v=1783975895"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/collections\/Sprekelia-x-homosissima-Lowe-Down-1900x350.jpg?v=1688587764","url":"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/sprekelia.oembed","provider":"Plant Delights Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}