Is Amaryllis outdated? 4 settings that prove otherwise!

Flower of celebration par excellence, Amaryllis suffers, in the eyes of some, from a somewhat outdated image. Let's be honest, when we think about it, it's often the picture of a bright red flower, a bit too high up, blooming like the bell of a gramophone that sticks in our minds...

The Amaryllis as seen by the sceptics!

It often perfectly matches the traditional colours of Christmas, but it would be a shame to keep this caricatured image and confine this flower to that period!

Why? Because:

1. the Amaryllis is a valuable plant for brightening our homes all winter,
2. its flowers come in a wide range of colours and last a long time,
3. new varieties offer very interesting flower shapes, suitable for many styles of decoration...
4. children love to follow its daily progress... which easily occupies them for 2 minutes a day while waiting for Father Christmas

Here are a few staging ideas that will prove to you that not only can the Amaryllis have style, but it can also be used in the home until spring!

Amaryllis are perfect for decorating the home at Christmas. Create atmospheres with the double Marilyn Amaryllis or the Benfica Amaryllis

Very chic, Amaryllis offer clean lines that suit classic or minimalist interiors. Opt for simple, refined varieties like 'Royal Velvet' (left photo), Christmas Gift or Amputo

Sophisticated flowers (like those of the Papilio Amaryllis or Rio Negro) fit perfectly in a natural setting.

The Amaryllis is also a perfect flower for bringing spring into the home and creating "girly" scenes. Dare to use pink and varieties with striated petals like candy canes, such as the Estella Amaryllis, Sweet Nymph, Pink Surprise, Gervase or even Apple Blossom...</

Some little tips to showcase your Amaryllis:

• stage them: to shine in society, your Amaryllis need to be highlighted. For this, at home, provide a rather plain background that will enhance the elegance of their flowers. On your festive table, this could be a simple tablecloth or, at home, a coloured wall.
• accompany them: Amaryllis are sometimes criticised for their somewhat artificial look: compensate by adding natural elements like decorative branches (dogwoods are perfect, as well as holly or willow when it shows its catkins).
• carefully choose the container that holds them: the star is your Amaryllis! Opt for either a neutral pot or vase that will fade into the background, or a container that matches the desired atmosphere (earth, zinc, pot covered with simple kraft paper for natural settings, soft colours for spring...)

I hope you are now reconciled with Amaryllis! For everything you need to know about their planting and care, feel free to consult our advice sheets: "Planting an Amaryllis in a pot for indoors" and "Amaryllis: how to care for, bloom and rebloom".