Amaryllis ‘Miracle’
One of my two Amaryllis ‘Miracle’ bulbs started blooming this week.
And it’s a good thing, because I needed something that wasn’t on a computer screen to distract me from the dreary scene outside. The days have been not just short, but gloomy and overcast.
I ordered these Amaryllis from John Scheeper’s. ‘Miracle’ is a variety that blooms fairly early and on shorter stalks, though the flowers are not as gigantic as with some other varieties. It’s a deep red that looks nice and warm.
The second bulb seems intent on sending up its stalk diagonally. Not sure why this is, as it is oriented to the light the same as the first bulb.
I’ve always been confused by the difference between Amaryllis and Hippeastrum. The Scheeper’s catalog uses the terms interchangeably. According to Wikipedia, however, Amaryllis is a genus of plants from South Africa, while Hippeastrum are from South America. Linnaeus had at first put the two in the same genus. ‘Miracle’ is derived from African bulbs.
It occurs to me looking at these pictures that one or two Amaryllis really isn’t enough. I wonder if somewhere in the house there’s a wide vase that could hold three or more? or maybe a pot that Judy doesn’t use much?
I’m linking this post with Donna’s Seasonal Celebrations meme at Gardens Eye View.
Are you growing Amaryllis (or Hippeastrum) this holiday season?
gardeninacity 
Is that growing in water?
Here Amaryliss are hardy, just, outside but Hippeastrum are not. However, the retailers insist in calling them all Amarylis
Yes, it’s growing in water (and little pebbles). I kind of thought that’s how everybody grows them inside. They are not hardy here.
In the UK we grow them indoors in compost! I’ve never seen them grown in water before! very interesting
I’ve never tried growing Amaryliss but yours are beautiful. And, any color is appreciated after day after ay of gloom and doom. Sun – I need some sun. I accept the cold, I just want some sun please.
I’m with you on being desperate for sun.
That’s a beauty! I am growing one as always, but planted it a bit late so it is only just sprouting. Hoping it will provide some colour and cheer in January!
I’m thinking about planting some more in January.
You are a brave soul. We never had much luck with them and thus lost our motivation. I have a friend who keeps dozens and dozens over the year and will greet you at this time of year with a cascade of amaryliss coming down her stairs. Sorry, I don’t have a picture.
But it leaves a great image in my mind. Our stairs are probably too dark, though.
my absolute favorite flower! They come up here in March and I look forward to them every year as if it’s the first time I’ve seen them. Thanks for some great pics to tide me over!
Seems so strange to me to grow them out in the garden.
The amaryllis are magnificent. Here they are reasonably hardy outside, but if I want Hippeastrum, they need to be grown indoors
A bed full of Amaryllis in bloom must be quite a sight.
Beautiful color on your Amaryllis/Hippeastrum. (I had thought the names referred to the same plant.) I have some growing outdoors.
I really like the color, also.
Wonderful way to celebrate during this dark, gray time Jason….I grow a few and this year I am growing 4 that I won! Thanks for linking in Jason to Seasonal Celebrations….
Lucky you for winning four Amaryllis!
I used to grow them every year but I haven’t for a while. I’ve never seen them grown in water.
I learned that way of growing them from Judy. She’s the one who introduced me to Amaryllis.
How satisfying to have flowers already. I saw a new amaryllis, Blushing Bride, at our favorite breakfast spot this morning and thought it was one of the prettiest I’ve seen yet. So, this afternoon I was at the nursery pawing through the bins and came up with Apple Blossom and Stardust. I like your idea of three in a pot. Maybe next year?
Maybe next year, as in January, though I would probably order them on line.
A lovely coloured Hippeastrum, mine are no way near so far advanced. I wish that I had planted them earlier. Lovely to have them in flower for the gloomiest month. I can never get them to flower again the following year. Can you?
No, and honestly I don’t even try.
I don’ t blame you .As they say: ‘ life’ s too short to stuff a mushroom’. The same goes for messing about trying to keep hippeastrums going.
I am growing an Amaryllis this season but mine is nowhere near yours! Still a little sprout! I need a little something these days too as everything is just blah outside. At least with the snow last year it brought with it a festive feeling. Do show us if you decide to plant more! I think next year I need to plan to do a whole indoor vignette! Happy weekend to you Jason! Nicole
I’ll keep you updated.
It is always cheering to have something beautiful in bloom at this time of the year….I must give that a go next year, all I seem to have indoors this year atr cactus and bonsai trees.xxx
Bonsai, really? Do you trim them yourself?
Mine are still quite small and won’t be in bloom at Christmas. Yours are right on schedule!!! My favorite Christmas bloom.
Mine are usually late also, although usually we don’t grow this variety.
These are so beautiful. I’ve never had any luck with amaryllis, but I’ve also never thought of growing them in water. I may have to try this!
Try at least with one. What do you have to lose?
Having seen yours I am badly wishing I had grown some this year, they are beautiful and obviously bring you a lot of joy.
It’s not too late!
A real beauty – I’m gaga for that deep red jewel-like colour.
It’s dazzling, isn’t it?
That is a wonderful rich red, I love it.
Red is such a powerful color, I wonder why it didn’t become the color of royalty instead of purple. Is it because it is the color of the blood that flows in Everyman? If the royals had taken up red, would the Socialists have adopted purple? That would have created problems with a lot of song lyrics.
The one I am growing was started from seed and offered at one of our bloggers’ swaps. It has a long way to go before it reaches blooming size (if ever). It is tucked away with other experiments that are kept out of curiosity and not expected to move into the spotlight any time soon. The color of yours should go a long way toward brightening your days, especially on that cheery tablecloth.
It is brightening our days, you’re right.
Love your Red Amaryllis. Are the bulbs resting in just pebbles and water?
Yup, that’s all.