{"id":27101,"date":"2023-09-27T15:16:25","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T13:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/d537d7ab-85ab-43eb-8953-87fcf3563889"},"modified":"2023-09-27T15:35:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T13:35:04","slug":"hippeastrum-how-to-care-for-and-keep-them-flowering","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/gardensillustrated\/rss_feed\/hippeastrum-how-to-care-for-and-keep-them-flowering\/","title":{"rendered":"Hippeastrum: how to care for and keep them flowering"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amaryllis, or Hippeastrum, bring a welcome burst of bold colour to our homes in winter and early spring. Here’s how to care for them \u2013 and encourage them to reflower. Words Richard Wilford, bulb expert. Photographs Jason Ingram. <\/p>

By Gardens Illustrated Team\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 27 September 2023 at 13:16 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Hippeastrums<\/em> are giants among indoor bulbs. Their sturdy, leafless stems, more than half a metre in height, are topped with blaring trumpets of rich colour or cooler hues.<\/p>

They are large-flowered bulbs<\/a>, commonly grown indoors in the UK and often known as amaryllis. <\/strong>Hippeastrum<\/em>, also known as amaryllis originate from the tropical and subtropical regions of South America. <\/strong>Hippeastrum<\/em> flower in winter and spring. They measure between 40-60cm tall but can be taller in poor light. Conditions<\/strong> Frost free but good light, ideally 15-21oC. Hardiness<\/strong> RHS H2, USDA 8a-10b.<\/p>

Jump to<\/strong><\/p>

  • How to grow Hippeastrum or amaryllis<\/a><\/li>
  • How to care for Hippeastrum, or amaryllis bulbs after flowering<\/a><\/li>
  • How to propagate amaryllis<\/a><\/li>
  • Types of amaryllis to try<\/a><\/li>
  • The best amaryllis to grow<\/a><\/li>

    What is the difference between amaryllis and hippeastrum?<\/h2>

    Hippeastrums<\/em> are often called amaryllis, an old name that now only applies to a small genus of South African bulbs, best known for the hardy, autumn- flowering Jersey lily, Amaryllis belladonna<\/em>. But the common name has stuck and many people still refer to Hippeastrum<\/em> as amaryllis.<\/p>

    Hippeastrum ‘Christmas Gift’<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"
    Hippeastrum \u2018Evergreen\u2019Its narrow, flaring petals are lime green, becoming darker towards the centre of the flower, from where the green stamens protrude. It belongs to the Spider Group and must be one of the most subtle and stylish amaryllis. 50cm. AGM*. RHS H2.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"Hippeastrum
    Hippeastrum \u2018Mont Blanc\u2019 This is one of the older Dutch cultivars, first registered in 1962 butis still widely available and a popular choice in the Galaxy Group. The large, creamy-white flowers have a green throat. 60cm.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"Hippeastrum
    Hippeastrum \u2018Lagoon\u2019 The huge, rich-pink flowers with wide petals make this amaryllis really stand out. Often producing two stems, this cultivar has all the characteristics expected from the Galaxy Group. 60cm. AGM. RHS H2.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"Hippeastrum
    Hippeastrum \u2018Exotic Star\u2019 One of the Butterfly Group,its maroon-red markingsover creamy-green petals resemble those on the flowers of the butterfly amaryllis, Hippeastrum papilio, which has undoubtedly influenced the breeding of this cultivar.It often produces two or three stems per bulb. 60cm.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"HHippeastrum
    Hippeastrum \u2018Clown\u2019 Another large-flowered form in the Galaxy Group, this has been a popular choice for many years. Sometimes called the candy cane amaryllis due to the pale, red-and- white striped flowers. 60cm. AGM. RHS H2.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"
    Hippeastrum \u2018Bogota\u2019 The slender, slightly recurved petals are typical of the Spider Group of cultivars. The bright scarlet to coral red flowers are flushed with green on the reverse and each bloom is around 12cm across. 50cm.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"ippeastrum
    Hippeastrum \u2018Snow White\u2019 A double-flowered amaryllis with multiple petals and heavy blooms. The stems will need staking to take the flowers\u2019 weight but there\u2019s no denying this is one of the most voluptuous cultivars around. 60cm.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"
    Hippeastrum \u2018Red Lion\u2019 With its extremely large, rich-red flowers, this hippeastrum from the Galaxy Group is a real show stopper. The largest bulbs can produce three or sometimes four stems, each with four or five blooms. 60cm.AGM.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"Hippeastrum
    Hippeastrum \u2018Barbados\u2019 Originally bred for the cut-flower trade, the deep-red flowers with a white cross in the centre are the perfect colours for a Christmas bouquet. This striking, large- flowered form is in the Galaxy Group. 60cm.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"Hippeastrum
    Hippeastrum Tierra. A newcomer that is often sold under the name \u2018Terra Mystica\u2019, this Diamond Group amaryllis has distinctive terracotta- pink flowers, with a dark- purple throat and the finest of white edges to the petals. 50cm.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"Hippeastrum
    Hippeastrum \u2018Picotee\u2019 With its pure-white petals delicately edged witha thin, red line, this elegant cultivar is one of the more sophisticated of the larger- flowered cultivars. It is one of the Diamond Group, which display flowers up to 16cm across. 60cm. AGM*. RHS H2, USDA 8a-11\u2020.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"Hippeastrum
    Hippeastrum \u2018Lemon Lime\u2019 Belonging to the Diamond Group, which has slightly smaller flowers than the Galaxy Group,but the pale-green blooms can be used in combination with white-flowered amaryllis, to create a cool- coloured display. 50cm.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
    \"Hippeastrum
    Hippeastrum ‘papilio’The butterfly amaryllis grows wild in southern Brazil. The intricately marked petals are wide but elegantly pointed. It often grows several stems per bulb and is shorter than most cultivars. This is a semi-evergreen plant that may flower twice in one year. 45cm. RHS H2.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>