Here are this year’s amaryllis plants blooming together.
It is the first blooming for the two pinks in the middle.
The second blooming for the two red and whites on the ends.
From left to right are Santiago, Pink Surprise, Pink Pizzazz and Spotlight.
My next post will feature Spotlight again. My first post did not do it justice.
This is how I survive winters. These beauties will go out in the garden.
They need a flat spot in full sun and a lava rock nest to thrive.
Flower surviving February
May is definitely circus month for my Amaryllis.
The clowns are putting on their biggest show ever.
Monte Carlo has on its brightest red and white costume. Pink Surprise is pretty in flashy pink. Apple Blossom is the rice between spice.
Minerva has formed a crowd above the stone wall.
Charisma has toned down the contrast of its costume with a blending of pigments.
Monte Carlo refuses to blend in with the surroundings.
Apple Blossom has too much dignity to clown around and show off.
I consider it the amaryllis for all locations.
I love each amaryllis for its own character.
Stay tuned. There are more beside the pond surrounded by ferns.
The show will go on!
Flow
I know that I have referred to these as my garden clowns.
They are too big and too bright to fit into the landscape.
The truth is they are crazy happy outside and grow bigger and better than they ever could in a pot.
I give myself a different one each Christmas.
I have lost some in the past, until I developed a method of planting that protects them from rotting or being eaten.
The secret is lava rocks. I make a nest of rocks around each as I plant it.
This “lava rock nest” improves drainage and discourages diggers and munchers.
Now they survive and thrive in the garden.
All the other flowers pale in comparison to these show-offs.
I need their audacious blooms in the winter, so I keep collecting them.
They continue to grow and multiply and upstage the other flowers in May.
I do love my bold and beautiful garden clowns.
Stay tuned for more clowns and a famous actress.
FLOWER
I do love an occasional screaming flower.
But my heart belongs to the quiet ones.
The ones with the dainty detail, that makes you look twice and pause.
Like this Picotee Amaryllis.
Yes it is white, but with a green throat and a hint of red around the margins.
Beside the screaming red and white “incorrect bloomer”, it may be overlooked.
But let it stand quietly alone, it inspires awe.
FLOWER
Last month I posted photos of an Amaryllis blooming.
I expected it to be a peach color. I have many reds and whites.
I wrote to the supplier and told them that the bulb I ordered,
Amaryllis Exotica, had turned out to be a double red/white.
Their emailed reply stated that they were sorry
that the bulb BLOOMED INCORRECTLY and that they would ship another.
I just received an email that a new bulb was being shipped at no cost to me.
Now folks, really?
Why not admit that a person packed and shipped the wrong bulb?
Why blame the poor bulb?
What is this world coming to, when we blame a plant instead of a person?
Let’s admit that a mistake was made.
I will let you know if the new bulb BLOOMS CORRECTLY in a few months.
FLOWER
Watching an amaryllis bloom is like a lesson in life.
The first day, it emerges from the sheath, which falls away like a plant placenta.
The second day, it opens up to reveal that there are two sets of twin flowers.
The larger two will open first. They are opposite each other on the stalk, for balance.
Color begins to blush through the petals as they stretch away from each other.
They are making room for their dazzling, dancing dresses.
The third day, the ruffled and wrinkled big sister buds smooth out their frocks.
On the fourth day, the little sisters begin to grin and show their purple stamen teeth and pistil tongue.
While the two big sisters fling back their petals to expose their shiny, bright faces.
Then they flush with a final burst of color. Like getting prepped for the party of life.
Standing up straight and facing the new day with a fresh face.
FOLLOW the developing FLOWER.
P.S. This is my Monte Carlo blooming for the second time since Christmas.
Thanks to all of you for viewing, following and sharing my fledgling little blog.
I have gotten great joy from this in these past six months.
You are my kind of people.
Happy Holidays.
from the Flower.
Peace Plant People.
floweralley 