This winter, brighten your mood and surroundings by planting and growing a few amaryllis. Your thoughts may turn to red when considering this plant but now you can find a variety of colors and flower shapes. Select the color that best suits your mood and indoor décor.
Fill your home with these beauties for the holidays. Then keep the blossoms coming all winter long. Plant several different types of amaryllis bulbs, from the southern and northern hemispheres, and you’ll get a long-lasting, colorful display.
Most amaryllis bulbs grown in the U.S. are imported from Holland, and their natural bloom time is January through March, but exactly when the flowers will open is impossible to predict. The best strategy is to choose several different varieties and plant them three to four weeks apart during November, December, and January so you’ll always have flowers coming into bloom.
Kick off the holiday season with amaryllis bulbs imported from growers in the southern hemisphere. As we enter autumn, it’s springtime in South America, and these bulbs are eager to begin to bloom. Pot them up before early November for flowers in December.
If you are a fan of the popular color pink, there is an amaryllis for you. Pink Surprise Amaryllis has enormous hot pink flowers with a silky sheen and a touch of white at the tip. It is a standout and perfect as a centerpiece on the dining room table or as a colorful welcome when displayed on a table by your front entrance.
For those who prefer something a bit more subtle, check out Terra Cotta Star. The soft watercolor hues of salmon, rose, buttercream and pistachio along with its dark veins add an artistic flare to each blossom.
Showcase and enjoy your colorful amaryllis by displaying it on a mantle, kitchen counter, or entryway table. Then watch the amazing show as the first sprout appears, followed by buds and finally, its spectacular trumpet-shaped blooms. Or cut a few flowers to enjoy as long-lasting cut flowers.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts the “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Her website is MelindaMyers.com.
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