New Year’s Day is past, but it’s not too late to wish all a happy Hippeastrum Day. Or Amaryllis Day, if you prefer, though what we generally call Amaryllis are really Hippeastrums, just as what we generally call Geraniums are really Pelargoniums. But honestly, who cares?
Currently we have two varieties of Hippeastrum in bloom. The first, ‘Naranja’, came into flower a couple of days after Christmas. I love orange flowers, especially in the middle of winter. So vibrant!
Within a few days the other 3 flowers on the first stalk of ‘Naranja’ also bloomed, and there is a second flower stalk getting ready to put on its own show.
The second Hippeastrum to bloom was ‘Picotee’. At least, I’m pretty sure it was ‘Picotee’. We are also growing a third variety called ‘Picasso’, which looks just like ‘Picotee’ but it’s supposed to be fragrant. ‘Picasso’ still has a few days to go, it seems.
Here’s another look at ‘Picotee’. Seems like the red edging is less pronounced, once the flower is open, than in prior years. Unless this is really ‘Picasso’ after all.
I do very little with indoor plants, in fact they seem to have a reduced life expectancy when I am around. But I make an exception for Hippeastrums. They are definitely a pick-me-up during the cold, dark days of winter.
gardeninacity 
Happy New Year to you, Judy and your family! Nice to have your posts popping up again. You have all been in my prayers. Beautiful Amaryllis colors. I too am very challenged growing plants indoors and have been known not to even successfully grow Amaryllis. My daughter sent me a beautiful indoor planter for my birthday and I almost used it for holding kitchen utensils. But, as usual you’ve inspired me to try again. The dirt and paperwhite bulbs will be coming out today! Next year Hippeastrums, as I will call them now
I am much the same: indoor plants mystify me, but I am an almost-expert in the garden. Your amaryllis is gorgeous. The orange looks a bit scarlet on my screen and it’s gorgeous. Do you let them rebloom or buy the bulbs each year?
I love them too. We currently have a red and white candy cane striped one, and a bright red one just about to open; also some narcissus on the way.
They’re beautiful. I used to put them out under trees in the shade for the summer and then bring them in the following fall. They’ll usually rebloom each year.
Beautiful. I planted three. One is going to bloom, the other two look like they are stuck. I guess we’ll see. 🙂
Beautiful! Plus I learned something new today about the proper names of amaryllises and geraniums. Can’t beat the combination of beauty and knowledge.
Lovely flowers, but I think I will not pretend to remember the name. There is indeed something warming about those gorgeous blooms in the winter.
My wife tends to several hippeastrums, so almost always have one in bloom. They are beautiful.
Also, you raise an interesting question: Who decides what a flower’s name really is? We have U.S. and international bodies to settle on the names of geographic features (Is the body of water west of Korea the “East Sea” or the “Sea of Japan”?), terms for international banking (How does a bank define “capital”?, and international standards organizations for all kinds of products. I’d vote for you, Jason, to be in charge of the International Panel on Plant Names.
The orange one is nice and cheerful. None of my old bulbs are showing any signs of producing buds, so I bought a new bulb which is also not doing anything!
Happy Hippy Day to you too. I always love seeing these huge flowers standing there looking gorgeous. I don’t grow them because I don’t have enough light to keep them upright. They always look like drunken soldiers flopping over. I like both of these. I have never noticed the red edge before of the white one. Interesting.
We often have trouble with flopping too! I’ve tried to anchor them with stones and marbles this year. So far, so good.
Lovely, mine are coming on but not as far as yours yet, they are a wonderful splash of colour on a dark winters day.
I care. But then I’m a pedant. But whatever you call them, your hippeastrums are a treat. Are you any good at keeping them going? I hope you are keeping well, wishing you all the best for your treatment going forward.
We have a friend who has 20 of them because she successfully keeps them over the summer, and keeps adding to them. We haven’t made a big effort to do that.
Hippeastrum — hmm! They are gorgeous. Your first few respondents are like me, indoor plant-challenged. I admire anyone who can successfully raise indoor plants. I usually just buy cut flowers in the winter and pick flowers from my garden in the summer to bring color inside.
All the best to you and yours this new year. May it be brighter and healthier.
Before we had children, I was good at indoor plants. I couldn’t manage both, and we haven’t had indoor plants in years.
What a delight these beautiful flowers are! I’m with you, I love orange flowers and these are gorgeous. I didn’t realize they came in orange~so vibrant.
Happy New Year and Hippeastrum Day! I adore the orange one as I rarely see that color.
How bright and cheerful they are! Like New Hampshire Garden Solutions, mine go outside for late spring/summer/early fall. Then into the garage for a rest, and then inside for bloom in February (I need blooms more in Feb than during the holidays). They are delightful and impressive bulbs. Enjoy yours!
Beautiful! I have never seen one as orange as that before- what a stunning flower.
Happy Hippea Day!
I didn’t realise there was an orange Hippeastrum they look so striking. It must be lovely to see them coming up in winter. Happy New Year to you and Judy.
I’ve never once heard ‘hippeastrum.’ It makes me think of a hippopotamus decked out in Easter flowers. My mother adored them, although we never ventured beyond the traditional red, white, and candy striped. They not only grew and bloomed for us, they were fruitful and multiplied. We were awash in bulbs by the time she passed. There might have been thirty or more than I gave away. They’re so easy to grow — at least, down here.
Happy New Year, Jason and Judy! I never heard ‘hippeastrum’ either. I have not tried to grow amaryllis.
What beauties! I can’t decide which I like the best! xxx
Thanks for the fun nomenclature lesson! And for making me consider an indoor plant for winter color, beyond my Christmas Cacti. May you have Joy in 2021.
Gorgeous! I have a beautiful white amaryllis blooming now that a friend gave me for Christmas. It will be planted out in the garden in March. I am very fortunate that these plants are hardy here, so I have a collection that reliably bloom every spring.Happy gardening in 2021!
I share your admiration of orange flowers. Hippeastrum ‘Naranja’ is quite a find–really striking. Happy New Year! Good wishes for health and joy.