White paintbrush (Haemanthus albiflos)

With flower heads that resemble a powder brush, this indigenous bulb adds a whimsical touch to the garden. It has a long flowering period – from April to as late as July. It is ideal for shady gardens and for areas with low light where the bulbs can be left to multiply.

The flower head consists of long, narrow white blooms with conspicuous bright yellow to orange stamens; each bloom is enclosed by greenish-white bracts, making it look much bigger. The plant bears long, ribbon-shaped strappy leaves and the flowers are followed by bright red berries that are relished by birds.

White paintbrush likes compost-rich, loamy soil and should not be disturbed unnecessarily once it is established. Plant the bulbs about 10cm apart initially; they will multiply on their own, eventually covering the entire area. The plant also does well in pots and can even be grown indoors in dappled light but not direct sunlight. The pots don’t need to be deep as the bulb’s roots spread horizontally. Mature bulbs will bloom faithfully year after year and only need to be divided if the plant starts flowering less.

Although this plant is fairly disease-free, keep a lookout for the lily borer caterpillar. If these pests become a problem (usually during the long hot summer months), remove them by hand and trim off any damaged foliage and destroy it.

White paintbrush likes the same growing conditions as bush lilies (Clivia miniata), which makes them good companion plants.