Stock up on proven cultivars for the winter season, and discover new favorites
The old adage is true : “ The other bird begin the louse . ” Or in this case , the early shopper gets first pick of the newest , most unusual , and most beautiful amaryllis ( Hippeastrumspp . and cvs . , Zones 8–10 ) cultivars . Amaryllis are the tall , tropic - looking trump - mold beauty that carry the most ardent nurseryman and their admirer through wintertime . You know who you are .
Why am I telling you to order them now , when winter is months aside ? The biggest and salutary bulbs can take 10 to 12 weeks to bloom . That ’s up to three months ! In fact , if you find some of the more exotic , new varieties of amaryllis online , it is worth a phone call to the vender to ensure that the bulb will arrive in clock time for you to institute them and make for them to flower in time for Christmas — or New Year ’s . you’re able to also purchase bulb later , at local nursery , most of which are design to flower for the holidays . But take note : my friends implored me to insist that you buy the biggest amaryllis bulbs you could get your hands on .
The jumbo bulbs generally send up one or two stalks , with each stalk sporting four to five efflorescence . Since they are top heavy in bloom , create some form of scaffolding or support for each pot of bulb . A favorite solution is to utilise twig cuttings from the garden and to tuck them into the pot when you set the bulbs . I like to practice unattackable branches of red- or yellow - sprig dogwood shrubs ( Cornus sericeaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–8 ) . If magniloquent stem are n’t your thing , you could now discover a skillful variety of “ miniature ” or dwarf amaryllis . They will have more stem and smaller flowers but will still sport lots of bloom of youth . They will reach about 18 inches high .
Or try some of the more exotic type of amaryllis , like butterfly stroke amaryllis ( Hippeastrum‘Papilio ’ , Zones 9–11 ) and cybister amaryllis . Cybisters have long , pointed , spidery petals , often tinged with burnt lime green . I ’m thinking of trying a couple of the ‘ Emerald ’ cybisters with the large unfolding ‘ Lemon Star ’ , and maybe even a elephantine double pallid ‘ Marilyn ’ .
you may consecrate bulbs in kit , thoroughgoing with soil and snazzy containers . There are outfit packages for every discernment : rustic , contemporary , modern , or traditional . It is just as easy to make your own planters ; I ’ve used readable glass , clayware ( scrub up clean after coming into the house from the garden ) , an old fruit crate , and a bucket . To set your bulbs , put an inch or two of crushed rock or gritty soil in the bottom of the container , contribute another in or two of soil , put the bulb(s ) on top of the soil , put the supporting stick ( bamboo , chopstick , sprig ) in plaza , and lend the remaining soil , leaving the top of the electric light exposed . If nude shoulder give you the fits , experience free to place ornamental moss over the bulbs for a more coy appearance . Water thoroughly when you plant the bulbs , and do n’t water again until you see the angry walk come forth .
Mary Ann Newcomer is the author of two books : Rocky Mountain Gardener ’s HandbookandVegetable Gardening in the Mountain States .
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This ‘Christmas Gift’ amaryllis has greenish-white petals that will make you long for fresh spring blooms!Photo: Mary Ann Newcomer
The bare branches of red-twig dogwoods make great supports to keep your amaryllis upright in its pot.Photo: Todd Meier
This ‘Saffron’ amaryllis is a cybister type, with long, creamy yellow, spidery petals.Photo: courtesy of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs
‘Marilyn’ amaryllis has full, bodacious blooms that resemble a gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides, Zones 8–11).Photo: courtesy of Brent and Becky’s Bulbs
