About the Amaryllis

• Amaryllis FlowerImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Powi) (Per Ola Wiberg
  
  The Amaryllis flower, Belladonna Lily, or "naked ladies" are native of South Africa and range in color from pink, red and white. A single bulb can successfully produce beautiful flowers for 75 continuous years!
  
  

Discovery of the Amaryllis

• Amaryllis FlowerImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Holger (PC-Problems)
  
  Sometime around the year 1828, a doctor named Uduard Frederich Poepping was on a search for plants in Chili when he found the Amaryllis growing on a mountain. He was said to have "shouted with joy at the spectacular sight of the beautiful Amaryllis flowers."
  
  

The Amaryllis Name

• Amaryllis FlowerImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Holger (PC-Problems)
  
  The name of the Amaryllis flower is based on Greek Mythology, specifically a Greek shepherdess named Amaryllis. "Amaryllis" means sparkling, which quite obviously refers to the spectacular and attractive blooms of the flower.
  
  

Amaryllis in Bloom

• Amaryllis FlowerImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of liz west
  
  The Amaryllis flower blooms between April and June, but is a hardy enough plant to survive winters in temperate climates. If proper chilled for months in advance, some varieties of the Amaryllis flower can be grown in December. These so-named "Christmas Amaryllis" flowers are from South African bulbs planted in pots
  
  

Amaryllis Care

• After your Amaryllis flower blooms, remove the spent stalks above the bulb top and return the pot to a sunny location. Proper sunlight will promote healthy leaf growth and supply food for the next year's flower. Continue to water and fertilize monthly.