Hippeastrum sonatini Alasca

'Alasca' is a superb white variety of Amaryllis sonatini, a new species particularly hardy and suitable for garden cultivation. This beautiful variety bears pure white double flowers with a greenish throat. Its bulb, smaller than the standard Amaryllis, also produces smaller flowers... but much more abundant! Flowering, it can produce up to 4 flower stalks, each carrying 3 to 5 voluptuous funnel-shaped flowers. The stems, upright and robust, reach about 35 cm (14in) in height in sunny conditions, more in partial shade. Give it a prominent place in a flowerbed, border, or pot on the terrace, it will bloom from June to July and attract many admiring glances.

From the Amaryllidaceae family, Hippeastrum are native to South and Central America. They are generally grown in pots in our latitudes and bloom climate around Christmas. Amaryllis sonatini is a new species developed over the past twenty years by the Dutch company Barnhoorn Hippeastrum, with the aim of obtaining an Amaryllis that is hardy enough to be grown outdoors, even in cold climates. The result is a smaller, more floriferous Amaryllis, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F). In full bloom, the variety 'Alasca' (sometimes spelled 'Alaska') forms a clump 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) in height in full sun and 30 cm (12in) in width. In partial shade, the stems can reach 50 cm (20in) in height. The double flowers are large, flared funnels, of a pure white colour. This immense flowering is composed of numerous pointed, slightly undulating, thick and iridescent petals. The heart of the flower is a tender green, releasing smaller petals that are actually petaloid stamens. 4 to 5 flowers surmount three to four large and thick hollow flower stalks. Positioned back to back, they form a unique composition. The leaves are deciduous, ribbon-like, and glossy dark green. They dry up and disappear a few weeks after flowering, when the bulb goes into dormancy.

Planting an Amaryllis is very rewarding. Hippeastrum is very easy to grow and its growth is very rapid. Amaryllis 'Alasca', unlike its winter-flowering cousins, chooses summer to bloom when planted outdoors. From June to July, it will offer an irresistible spectacle of bright pure white, which will naturally combine with blue, violet, or pink flowers. Plant it in small groups, it will work wonders in a flowerbed, border, or in a beautiful glazed terracotta pot on the patio or balcony. Planted in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil, 'Alasca' Amaryllis will come back even stronger each year, provided they are well protected under a thick layer of mulch in regions where the temperature drops below -10°C (14°F). They will also make excellent cut flowers, with a long vase life.

Amaryllis is actually a misuse of language directly linked 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 time from South Africa. Conventionally, the name Amaryllis has been retained for both, and to distinguish them, the mention Hippeastrum is added for the first one and Belladona for the second. 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 beautiful bunches of red flowers.