Amaryllis
| Class | Info |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Amaryllis (particularly in North America) |
| Scientific Name: | Hippeastrum reginae |
| Family | Amaryllidaceae |
| Plant Type | Flowering bulb |
| Origin | Tropic and subtropic regions of the Americas from Argentina in the south to Mexico and the Caribbean in the north |
| Note: | This plant, actually a Hippeastrum from South America, is regularly confused with the Amaryllis (known as Amaryllis Belladonna, March Lily, among others), originating in South Africa. |
Amaryllis Varieties
Because of the consistent popularity of the Amaryllis Hippeastrum, many, many cultivars are available. In fact, the varieties available are almost overwhelming. There are single bloom, double bloom, and exotic varieties. Here is a list of popular Amaryllis cultivars:
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Apple Blossom
The ‘Apple Blossom’ Amaryllis is an award-winning flower that showcases white flowers that appear that they have been brushed over with light pink.
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Minerva
If you love the color red, you are likely to love ‘Minerva’ variety of amaryllis. The flowers are large, have red edges, and have a creamy-white center.
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Candy Floss
Although there is some streaking of white and cream, the ‘Candy Floss’ amaryllis variety showcases large flowers that are primarily pink.
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Picotee
The ‘Picotee’ amaryllis showcase beautiful white flowers that look as though they have been delicately outlined with a reddish-pink marker.
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Desire
Those who love the color orange will love the ‘Desire’ amaryllis. These flowers bloom in a warm orange color that draws your eye. They are very popular in the autumn.
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Yellow Star
Those who love yellow flowers will appreciate the ‘Yellow Star’ amaryllis. As the name suggests, these blooms are entirely yellow.
Amaryllis Basic Care
Common Problems with Amaryllis
How to Propagate an Amaryllis
The Amaryllis can be propagated in four different ways: cultivation of seeds, removing or dividing offsets from the mother bulb, cuttage or bulb sectioning, and tissue culture.
How Does Amaryllis Spread?
The Amaryllis spreads by producing “daughter bulbs” next to “mother bulbs”. It takes three to five years for “daughter bulbs” to attain marketable size. Amaryllis can also be grown by seed, taking six years to reach maturity.
What Are Good Companion Plants to an Amaryllis?
Because of the similarity in care requirements and the blooming characteristics, good companion plants for indoor Amaryllis are:
Begonia Overview
Begonias are a perennial (though most people treat them as an annual) that thrive in a shaded environment, although they don’t mind having a little bit of sun. They have waxy leaves that will vary from dark green to bronze in color. Once they begin to flower, they will typically flower for the rest of the season. The flowers come in several colors including pink, white, yellow, and red. Whether you have a shady place in your garden or want to display them in your home, begonias can brighten up your area.
Chrysanthemum Overview
The chrysanthemum is a genus of a few dozen plants that belong to the aster family. They are known for their large, full flower heads that consist of a single layer of petals that look ruffled. These petals are shaped like a disc that wraps around the center and can come in a variety of colors, including yellow, white, lavender, purple, orange, and red. You can also find some varieties that have two colors. Chrysanthemums have been used in Chinese medicine to treat high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, and respiratory problems.
Cyclamen Overview
While many plants go dormant and don’t bloom in winter, cyclamen waits until the cooler months to show off its beauty. The plant is made up of dark green, heart-shaped leaves that are often variegated with silver spotting or veins and the flowers bloom on stems that typically grow between 6 and 9 inches above the soil. Flowers can come in a variety of colors, including purple, red, pink, and white. Some may be bicolored, creating attractive variants that are interesting to see. The plant grows from a tuber underground.
Plants that are Similar to Amaryllis
The Amaryllis family includes 73 genera and over 1,600 species, so it is safe to say there are a number of plants “similar” to the Amaryllis Hippeastrum. Some of the plants most closely associated with it are the Cape Tulip, the genus Narcissus that includes the Daffodil and the Jonquil, and the Snowdrop.
Cape Tulip Overview
Native to South Africa, there are two common varieties of the cape tulip. Members of the Iris family, one variety is known as the one-leaf cape tulip (which has one leaf per plant) and the other is a two-leaf variety. The flower is often viewed as a weed as it can spread quite quickly and are toxic to many animals, including livestock. The plant produces pretty pink flowers that have 6 petals. The plant is a perennial and grows from bulbs. While this plant is pretty, it should not be planted in your garden and should not be kept in a house with pets.
Daffodil Overview
Daffodils are a genus in the family Amaryllidaceae and is a narcissus, a term based on a Greek word meaning “dew-drop.” When speaking of plants, the term is used to refer to any plant with small droplets on its leaves or flowers. Daffodils have been cultivated for thousands of years, first domesticated by ancient Egyptians who grew them as ornamental plants. They are known for their tubular flowers that are, most commonly, yellow. Today, there are over 1,000 species of daffodils available throughout the world.
Snowdrop Overview
Snowdrops are perennial plants that have leaves that grow directly from the ground. The flowers come in many different colors including white, pink, purple, yellow, orange, red, or blue. Snowdrops can be found all over Europe but most commonly in England where there is an estimated 1 million plants growing wild. In North America, you will find them mainly in Canada and New York State. There are also some species native to Australia. The name “snowdrop” comes from their resemblance to small drops of water falling down onto the grass.
