Hippeastrum Grandise Fantasy - Amaryllis

Amaryllis 'Grandise Fantasy' is a rather fantastic variety of Hippeastrum, both in terms of the size of its flowers and their combination of colours. Its flowers, with a two-tone appearance, have beautifully veined, edged, and striated petals in dark red on an ivory background surrounding a lime green throat. The overall effect is makes a wonderful combination.  Each bulb often produces two flowering stalks, each carrying four enchanting flowers. This variety received the first prize at Keukenhof in 2022 in the category of large-flowered amaryllis.

Originally from the subtropical regions of Central and South America, Hippeastrum are frost-sensitive plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, generally grown in pots. When in full bloom, the 'Grandise Fantasy' variety reaches a height of 55 cm (22in) and a width of 30 cm (12in). Each flower is composed of 6 petals, with the upper 3 being wider and larger. It is primarily these 3 upper petals that have raspberry red patterns. The heart of the flower is green, releasing a display of long, almost white curved stamens. Four very large flowers, 24 cm (9in) in diameter, proudly tower over a thick hollow stalk, soon to be followed by another. Positioned back-to-back, they form a unique composition together. The leaves are ribbon-like and medium green in colour. They turn yellow and dry out some time after flowering, while the large bulb enters a dormant phase.

Planting an Amaryllis is a very rewarding experience. Hippeastrum is very easy to grow and its growth is extremely rapid; 6 to 10 weeks after planting, the flowers are already blooming. You can enjoy them throughout the winter. To give it as a Christmas gift, consider planting it at the beginning of November. Ideally, place it in the sun, in front of a window, for example. Trim the stem when the flowers fade to promote a new flowers.

Speaking of Amaryllis, here is actually a misnomer 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 was kept for both, but to distinguish them, the mention Hippeastrum was added for the first one and Belladonna for the second one. It must be said that both deserve this name well: 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 magnificent bunches of red flowers. Since then, the term has become synonymous with beauty.