Hippeastrum Exotic Star - Amaryllis

The Amaryllis 'Exotic Star' is an extraordinary hippeastrum, with graceful and subtly coloured flowers, resembling orchids. This variety indeed bears star-shaped flowers, with long white-greenish petals finely striped with raspberry red, around a chartreuse green heart. Each bulb produces 2 to 3 floral stems, each carrying 3 to 4 large flowers, forming a generous bouquet with a very exotic feel. Very easy to cultivate and make bloom at home.

Originally from subtropical regions of Central and South America, Hippeastrum are frost-sensitive plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, generally grown in pots in our latitudes. In full bloom, the 'Exotic Star' variety forms a tuft of 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) in height and 30 cm (12in) in width. It offers 3 to 4 flowers per stem, in the form of large stars about 15 cm (6in) in diameter, composed of 6 petals. Each lanceolate petal is thick and iridescent. The heart of the flower, apple green to chartreuse green, releases a bouquet of long light red stamens. Each bulb produces two to three thick hollow stems. Positioned back-to-back, the flowers together form a unique composition. The leaves are deciduous, ribbon-shaped and glossy dark green.

Planting an Amaryllis is a very rewarding experience. The Hippeastrum is very easy to grow and its growth is extremely fast; 6 to 10 weeks after planting, the flowers are already blooming. You can enjoy them throughout the winter. To offer it for Christmas, consider planting it from the beginning of November. The 'Exotic Star' variety pairs well with the 'Amputo' Amaryllis, virginal and pure white, or with the narcissus varieties 'Paperwhite' or 'Erlicheer' that have been carefully forced in warmth. The small white snowdrops can also adorn its base like stars. Preferably expose it to the sun in front of a window, for example.

Speaking of Amaryllis here is actually a misuse of language directly related to an error made in the 18th century. It was Linnaeus himself who used it to name the American species. However, the name was already used for another beautiful flower, this one from South Africa. Conventionally, the denomination Amaryllis has been retained for both. And to distinguish them, the mention Hippeastrum is added to the first one and Belladonna to the second one. It must be said that both deserve this name: Amaryllis means "sparkling" and, in classical Greek literature, the plant was the subject of a pastoral poem where the beautiful shepherdess Amaryllis dies of a love that will only be accessible to her after a terrible wound. From her blood will emerge splendid bunches of red flowers. Since then, the term has been synonymous with haughty beauty.