Hippeastrum Apricot Parfait - Amaryllis

Hippeastrum 'Apricot Parfait', also known as amaryllis, is a bulbous plant intended for indoor cultivation that offers beautiful apricot-pink flowers delicately striated with white.

Belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family and originating from the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, hippeastrum is not at all hardy. Its cultivation outdoors is not possible in our climate. Fortunately, we can enjoy it in the warmth of our homes (or in a heated conservatory), while the garden is still asleep.

Amaryllis has a large bulb. Its large and elegant flowers are similar to lilies. They are generally grouped in fours at the top of a strong main stem, 30 to 50cm (12 to 20in) high and adorned with long green leaves, in narrow strips.

Its flowering occurs from December to April, 6 to 8 weeks after planting. Flowering depends on the temperature of the room in which the amaryllis is installed. Keep it in a well-lit place. For accelerated blooming, keep the pot in a well-heated room. To slow the flowering down, place it in a cooler room, around 10°C (50°F).

The Latin name "Amaryllis" was the subject of heated discussions among botanists: originally, this name referred to another plant, similar in appearance and native to South Africa: Amaryllis belladonna. When Carl von Linne used this name to refer to it, as well as to Hippeastrum (are you still following?), there was an outcry and the battle raged on until 1987 when the botanists decided: the Latin name Amaryllis is retained for the African species Belladonna but should no longer be used as the Latin name for Hippeastrum.