STENOMESSON. South America, mostly in the Andes. Elegant bulbous perennials of the amaryllis family, often making sizeable colonies. They have variously shaped, attractive leaves, leafless flowering stems and umbrella shaped clusters of pendant, tubular blossoms. Common colors are red to pink, orange and yellow, often with green markings at the tips of the floral segments. They are easily grown in pots or even—in mild-winter areas—the open ground, given sun or light shade near the coast, part shade inland, reasonably well drained, non-alkaline soil, and moderate watering. Those with a distinct winter dormancy should be kept as dry as possible at that time. The following are hardy to 20oF or less.
miniatum. This is one of my personal favorites of all the bulbs I have grown. It has distinctly stalked 8-12" leaves, broadest near the middle, deep green and velvety in appearance. The flowering stems rise about 1', bearing broad, bright orange bells, each a little over 1" long, mostly in late summer.
species unidentified. Received in the mid-‘80s from John Bleck, this one was overlooked for several years. It has dark, stalked leaves similar to those of S. miniatum, above, but a little longer. The flower stems are about 18" high and carry broad clusters of soft yellow bells, mostly in summer.
variegatum. A decidedly more robust species, with strap shaped bluish green leaves up to 2' long. In summer and fall stout 1-2' stems carry loose clusters of 3", narrowly trumpet shaped flowers. Those of the current selection are coral-orange with dark green tips. A tough and rewarding bulb for the “purple thumb” gardener.