Amaryllis surprise
Pitied for trying to grow its way out of a box on the discount shelf at Target, this amaryllis bulb came home with me before Christmas, along with another. The other bloomed at New Year’s, a festive solid red, but I only got two flowers out of it, and they were short-lived. This one promises much more.
Although it took 3 weeks longer to bloom, the reward for patience is sweet: multiple fat buds on two stems, and a candy-like red-and-white color scheme that looks like an early Valentine’s Day on the windowsill. This despite the fact that the box showed a red amaryllis. You never know what surprises await with bulbs, do you?
Peeking into an unopened bud is like looking into an old-fashioned, sugar-coated Easter egg that contains a miniature, magical garden inside.
Peek-a-boo!
All material © 2006-2010 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Pretty! The blades on mine are only 3″ high so far. I finally moved it to a warmer room and it is growing faster now.
Just beautiful…I’ve seen several posts where the Amaryllis’ were mislabeled…keeps it interesting!
Gorgeous. My two potted amaryllis appear to be afflicted with some sort of red-orange fungus; no stalks. I fear they’re destined for the dustbin.
I always feel sorry for those bulbs that try to bloom in the box because they’ve been in there so long. And my experience with buying amaryllis bulbs in the big box stores is that you have about a 25% chance that the label and bulb will match! The good thing is, I’ve never met an amaryllis I didn’t like! Yours is gorgeous, Pam!
Pam, it says Thank You for picking him up from that discount shelf. Beautiful!
Pam,
As usual, gorgeous photos. You know, I have yet to get the amaryllis that is shown on the boxes. LOL
Wow, that is a beauty. I love the angle of your shots.
Delightful indeed!
LOL! I had the same thing happen to me. The Apple Blossom turned out to be a Red Lion or some other red amaryllis.They are always pretty but it is a shock when the bloom you thought your were getting turns out not to be what you were expecting.
Yours is a beauty and I love the candy cane or peppermint candy look.
One of my most beloved summer friends is an elephant ear that grew from an ugly bulb sold from a bulk bin at Walmart. Even better to be surprised in the dead of winter! Gorgeous photos!
How Beautiful. I love the photo looking into the bud. Pure treasure!
They’re just sooo great, aren’t they? I don’t get tired of looking at them, ever.
I planted my gift amaryllis right in the ground after the first year. They bloom much later-March or April but the bulbs are enormous and I get multiple blooms.
I saw the same amaryllises (amarylli?) trying to escape from the boxes, and bought several for Christmas presents, out of pity, as much as anything! I wonder whether those are blooming as well… must ask.
Looks like you had a lucky find. Are you going to put it outside after it finishes blooming? I also bought one for a couple of dollars and it is looking like it is not going to do anything. Stunted and miserable. Poor thing.
Yes, I will plant them both this spring. I put one in the ground in my old garden, and it took two seasons, but then it did bloom in the spring. —Pam
What a great save that was! She’s a beauty. They’re such a cheerful sight at this time of year. Mine are in various stages and won’t bloom for a while yet. Something to look forward to 🙂
You sure worked up a storm in the garden earning that achy back. The steps look so nice. I’m glad you southern gardeners can get out into the garden at this time of year. We’ll enjoy watching your progress while we dream of spring up here in the frozen north.
The flowers are beautiful! I love that you post regularly and I your thoughts and pictures are fun to see. So many ideas! So much inspiration! So little time.
I think I like them best at this time of year when the holiday glitter is gone. They can shine like beacons leading the way to spring. Love this one.
Very nice — love those striped ones the best – they seem so exotic, but of course they are all rather exotic. What are YOU doing in the gardent today?
I didn’t get any time in the garden today due to family commitments, but we did enjoy a lovely hike at St. Edwards Park. —Pam
that is a beauty and I love Pam the way you captured that last photo looking into the partially opened bud to show all the little stamens.