Hippeastrum Flamingo Amadeus - Amaryllis

Amaryllis 'Flamingo Amadeus' is a magnificent variety of Hippeastrum with large, very double flowers. Its wide corollas, with multiple petals of pinkish-red veined with white, bloom in clusters at the top of each floral stem, creating a stunning visual effect. It is a bulbous plant that is very easy to grow and flower indoors, creating a dreamy decoration for several weeks in winter.

Originally from subtropical regions of Central and South America, Hippeastrum are frost-sensitive plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, typically grown in pots in our latitudes. In full bloom, the Flamingo Amadeus variety reaches a height of 40 cm (16in) and a width of 30 cm (12in). Each bulb will usually produce 2 floral stems. The plant produces double flowers, measuring over 20 cm (8in) in diameter, composed of numerous wide petals, with a thick and waxy texture, mostly pinkish-red, adorned with tiny iridescent flakes and crisscrossed by white lines. Positioned back-to-back at the top of long, thick, hollow stems, 4 to 5 flowers form a unique composition. As a second stem emerges from the bulb after the first one, the flowering can last for more than a month. The ribbon-like foliage, with a shiny green colour, turns yellow and then dries out some time after flowering. The large bulb then enters a dormant phase.

Planting an Amaryllis is very rewarding. Hippeastrum Flamingo Amadeus is very easy to grow and its growth is extremely rapid; 6 to 8 weeks after planting, the flowers are already blooming. You can enjoy them throughout the winter. If you want to give it as a Christmas gift, consider planting it at the beginning of November. Preferably place it in the sun, in front of a window for example. Trim the stem when the flowers fade to promote floral regrowth.

If there is confusion between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum, it is because Linnaeus gave the same name to this species native to South America as to another species native to South Africa. Since then, by convention, it is appropriate to use the name Hippeastrum for the American Amaryllis and Belladona for the South African Amaryllis. The truth is that both species deserve this name, which means "haughty beauty".