Hippeastrum Daphne - Amaryllis

Hippeastrum 'Daphne' is a new and very different variety with immense flowers that have a perfectly regular shape but variable colours. Their silky texture beautifully reflects light and highlights a dark red shade with pink nuances, each randomly brushed with white. The black throat is surrounded by a purple halo. It is a tall and truly sumptuous variety. It will be perfect in winter bouquets, paired with fir green foliage, holly, or forced white hyacinths indoors.

Belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, Hippeastrum are native to South and Central America. They are grown in pots in our latitudes and bloom inside homes during the Christmas season. In full bloom, the 'Daphne' variety forms a clump that reaches a height of 60 to 63cm (24 to 25in) and a width of 30cm (12in). The flowers, shaped like wide flared funnels, measure up to 23cm (9in) in diameter. This immense flowering consists of 6 wide and thick, shiny and iridescent petals, coloured in a very dark red on a background of white that shows through depending on the petals. The flower's centre is even darker, revealing a bouquet of long, curved stamens of the same tone. 4 to 5 flowers tower proudly above one or two large and thick hollow stems. Positioned back-to-back, they form a unique composition. The leaves are ribbon-like and glossy dark green. They turn yellow and dry out some time after flowering, while the large bulb enters a dormant state.

Planting an amaryllis is very rewarding. Hippeastrum 'Daphne' is very easy to grow and its growth is extremely fast. The flowers bloom 8 weeks after planting. You can enjoy them throughout winter. Plant it at the beginning of November if you want to give it as a Christmas gift. Ideally, position it in the sun, in front of a window for example. Trim the stem when the flowers fade to encourage re-flowering.

The Latin name "Amaryllis" was the subject of heated discussions among botanists: originally, this name referred to another plant, similar in appearance and native to South Africa: Amaryllis belladonna. When Carl von Linne used this name to refer to it, as well as to the Hippeastrum (are you still following?), there was an outcry and the battle raged on until 1987 when the botanists decided: the Latin name Amaryllis is retained for the African species Belladonna but should no longer be used as the Latin name for Hippeastrum.