#8: Little Things: A Locally Bred Flower Bulb Grows a Family of Beauty

by Lesley Misko

Bringing dramatic size and color indoors when most plants are resting, Amaryllis bulbs are a surprise on the winter landscape of dreariness. They are easy to grow and reward their homes with large, trumpet-shaped flowers on thick, upright stalks.

Amaryllis varieties come in a wide range of colors and forms. Classic single-flowered types bloom in bold reds, whites, pinks, and bi-colors. There are also double-flowered varieties with extra petals that resemble peonies, and smaller miniature types that produce more delicate blooms. Among the most popular are deep red ‘Red Lion,’ striped ‘Apple Blossom,’ and elegant white ‘Mont Blanc.’

Growth begins when the bulb is planted with its top third above the soil. After watering, a thick green stalk emerges, followed by buds that open into flowers. Most amaryllis bulbs produce one or two tall flower stalks, and each stalk typically bears two to three large flowers. Sometimes  bulbs can  amaze and far exceed expectations.

Recently, I was lucky enough to have a great example of this with a bulb I purchased at Glick’s Nursery poinsettia show. The bulb I picked out of a shelf of bulbs produced two tall stalks with an amazing eight flowers blooming at the same time -- an astoundingly  impressive display  It has been so uplifting to have these flowers brighten the dreary winter days. As I feel the chill of the extreme winds we have experienced, it is an optimistic  reminder that better days are on the horizon.

After blooming, the plant’s long green leaves help store energy back into the bulb, setting the stage for future flowers. With light, water, and patience, amaryllis bulbs can bloom year after year. I wonder if this bulb would be equally fantastic a second time around.

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