The showy, easy-to-grow flowers of amaryllis effortlessly elevate your holiday decor.
Denny Schrock
While they may share the stage withpoinsettiasandpaperwhite narcissus, the huge blooms of amaryllis (Hippeastrumspp.)
make them the star players of the holiday season.
Credit:Denny Schrock
It was likely this rare willingness to bloom indoors in winter that ensured their popularity as a holiday plant.
Brent Heathis the co-owner of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs.
The name amaryllis comes from the Greek word for “sparkle.”
Types of Amaryllis
We call them amaryllis, but botanically, these bulbs areHippeastrum.
Most of the large-flowered varieties sold for the United States holiday market are grown in the Netherlands.
The Dutch-grown ones are the great big ones, Heath says.
However, he finds the South African-cultivated bulbs easiest to force in time for the holidays.
These are daintier flowers in a compact package.
In South Africa, they are getting into smaller flowered ones.
They are wonderful garden plants from Zone 7 southward.
Heath says they bloom prolifically in May in his wife Beckys garden in Virginia.
Heath says breeders are continually working to bring new varieties to market to enliven your winter displays.
Beyond red and white, youll find variations on peach, salmon, chartreuse, and yellow.
Watch for sophisticated pastels, splashy colors and stripes, and showy double-flowered types.
Some bulbs are sold dipped in wax so they don’t need soil or even water.
Whenpotting up your amaryllis bulb, always leave the top third of the bulb exposed above the growing media.
Water sparingly when the top inch of the soil is dry.
In general, cooler conditions slow down growth and blooming, and warmer ones speed them up.
Once growth appears, your amaryllis will need bright light at a South-facing window or from a grow light.
Branches of curly willow (Salix) or red-stemmeddogwood(Cornus) add decorative support.
Putting them in a cooler room at night can also help prolong bloom.
Removing flowers once past can encourage a second flush, says Heath.
The leaves are the solar collectors, and the bulbs are the batteries, says Heath.
As soon as its not freezing you could plant in the garden, Heath says.
Decorating with Amaryllis
For a lush, living centerpiece try Heaths method.
I love to useHippeastrumas a centerpiece with other bulbs."
Heath chose these because both amaryllis and paperwhites bloom well indoors without the extra chilling period some bulbs need.
They can have tall sides to help support the stems of heavy blooms.
