Hippeastrum sonatini Balentino

‘Balentino’ is a superb variety of Amaryllis sonatini, a new particularly hardy species, suitable for garden cultivation. The beautiful ‘Balentino’ bears single flowers of bright red, veined with white, around a greenish throat. They are beautifully highlighted by the purple stems, which are upright and robust, reaching a height of approximately 45 cm (18in) when in flower. Its bulb, smaller than that of the standard amaryllis, also produces smaller flowers... but much more abundant! Flowering, it can produce up to 4 floral stems, each bearing 3 to 5 plump funnel-shaped flowers. Give it a prominent place in a border, as an edging, or in a pot on the patio, and it will bloom from June to July, attracting many admiring glances.

From the Amaryllidaceae family, Hippeastrum are native to South America and Central America. They are generally cultivated in pots in our latitudes and bloom indoors during the Christmas season. Amaryllis sonatini is a new species developed in 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 that can tolerate temperatures down to -10°C (14°F). The excellent cultivar 'Balentino' is the first A. sonatini to have been created. In full bloom, it 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 a height of 50 cm (20in). The single flowers are wide flared funnels, of a very bright red, veined with white. This immense flowering consists of numerous pointed, well-curved, thick and iridescent petals. The centre of the flower is a tender green. 4 to 5 flowers overhang three to four large, thick hollow stems. Positioned back to back, they form a unique composition together. The leaves are deciduous, ribbon-like, and glossy dark green. 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 very fast. Amaryllis 'Balentino', unlike its tender winter-flowering cousins, chooses summer to bloom when planted outdoors. From June to July, it offers an irresistible spectacle, with its bright red colour that naturally blends with perennials that bloom in blue, orange, or white. Plant it in small groups, and it will work wonders in a flower bed, as an edging, or in a beautiful glazed terracotta pot on the patio or balcony. Planted in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil, 'Balentino' Amaryllis will come back even stronger each year, provided it is well protected under a thick layer of mulch in regions where the temperature drops below -10°C (14°F). They also make excellent cut flowers, with a long vase life.

Amaryllis is actually a misnomer 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 being used for another beautiful flower, this one from South Africa. Conventionally, the name Amaryllis has been retained for both. To distinguish them, Hippeastrum is added to the first one and Belladonna to 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 in which the beautiful shepherdess Amaryllis dies of unrequited love, which will only be granted to her after a terrible wound. From her blood will emerge beautiful bunches of red flowers.