Hippeastrum Double Aphrodite - Amaryllis

Hippeastrum 'Aphrodite' is one of our favourites. This impressive variety from the Double Galaxy Series has large double white flowers, veined, sprinkled and edged with bright pink, around a greenish throat. Its large bulb can produce up to 4 flowering stems each carrying 4 voluptuous funnel-shaped flowers. It is a spectacular plant with rapid growth, providing the home with an extraordinary flowering in the heart of winter.

From the Amaryllidaceae family, hippeastrum is native to South and Central America. It is grown in pots in our latitudes and flowers indoors around Christmas time. In full bloom, the 'Aphrodite' variety forms a clump measuring 50cm (20in) in height (sometimes more) and 30cm (12in) in width. The double flowers, with wide flared funnels, measure up to 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) in diameter. This immense flowering is composed of numerous pointed, slightly undulate, thick and iridescent petals. The heart of the flower is tender green, releasing smaller petals that are petal-like stamens. 4 flowers tower above two to four large and thick hollow stems. Positioned back-to-back, they form a unique composition together. The glossy dark green leaves are deciduous and ribbon-like. They dry up and disappear a few weeks after flowering, when the bulb enters its resting phase.

Planting an amaryllis is a very rewarding experience. Hippeastrum is very easy to grow and its growth is extremely rapid. The flowers bloom 6 to 10 weeks after planting. You can enjoy them throughout winter. Plant it at the beginning of November if you want to give it as a Christmas gift. Create sumptuous winter bouquets by combining amaryllis with foliage or budding branches of flowering cherry or Japanese quince.

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 the 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.