This’s more a curious, architectural greenhouse foliage plant than a spectacular floral display. Although these cute flowers last for many weeks they’re not impressive compared to their sister bulbs, the rose red Blood Lilies, Haemanthus coccineus for this is H. albiflos, a white flowered species.
Hailing from South Africa these members of the Amaryllis family were introduced to the UK in 1791 where they proved too tender outdoors only surviving under cover. However in a frost free greenhouse, conservatory or even as a houseplant these are tough, decorative and enduring so extremely good value.
Haemanthus albiflos could be grown from seed though this would be slow so best purchase some largish bulbs or growing plant, or ideally a clump. This is one of those bulbs that flowers best grown amongst others almost crowded, and one never transplanted unless necessary. Rather than split a clump take off small bulbils to grow on and replant the old clump whole in renewed compost in a slightly larger pot. If you must split do this when the bulbs are at rest after flowering. Best not over-pot, nor drown, otherwise these are relatively simple, reliable and trouble free.
Plant new bulbs just below the surface almost touching. This is from South Africa and a near desert dwelling bulb so prefers sandy leaf mould peat-like compost and can cope with ‘sporadic’ watering which will do little harm. Indeed although these theoretically die down over the summer months and restart before winter often they just carry on effectively evergreen. So ideally help them take a rest by withdrawing water and feed once the flowers fade.
Once they are starting again in autumn feed and water regularly but always lightly, and from underneath, best not wet the leaves as this shows. These love a warm bright spot and suffer very few pests or diseases save the occasional, rather obvious, mollusc attack, so then immediately search under the leaves as that’s where they’ll hide!
For the collector there’s another half dozen or so species available.
(As to the shaving brush name, appears to be a description not a practical suggestion, however just in case I tried, stem’s too lax for convenience and pollen came off in lumps.)