Haemanthus
This is the name of the flower that I saw in full and glorious bloom in a yard as I walked this evening.
I had never seen anything like it. So I stopped, and there was a man sitting on his porch, so I said, “Good evening and what amazing flowers you have!” And, of course (since this is Saba and everyone is happy and friendly), he told me where he had gotten them and that he had forgotten what they were called.
He went on about what they need to propagate, which isn’t much because here, the soil is so fertile and there is constant moisture as we’re frequently in the clouds. But whatever he did, it worked, because he had a row of them above the wall by the road.
His house is on the high side of The Road between Hell’s Gate and Windwardside.
I introduced myself after he asked if I was a tourist, and found out that his name is Alfredo Hassell.
He found an extra bulb and graciously gave it to me to plant in a pot, making sure to tell me that it wouldn’t flower if kept in air conditioning.
My first Saba plant!
Its common name is African Blood Lily, but I think I’ll call it Alfredo!
Terry Chretien is the owner of Ambrosia Body Care, providing out-call massage and spa services on St. Croix. She rescues homeless dogs and cats who reside with her and become the four-legged hosts of SunDog House, a St. Croix sustainable vacation rental villa.