Hippeastrum Pyjama Party - Amaryllis

Amaryllis 'Pyjama Party', as its name suggests, is a hippeastrum with a very festive appearance! This variety, not very tall, carries flowers of modest size, but they are remarkably numerous and brightly coloured in pink-red, striated and streaked with white. Each bulb produces not 2, but 3 floral stems, forming a generous bouquet full of good humor. This new creation is also very easy to cultivate and make flower at home.

Originally from the subtropical regions of Central and South America, Hippeastrum are frost-sensitive plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, generally grown in pots in our latitudes. In full bloom, the Pyjama Party variety forms a clump 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) high and 30 cm (12in) wide. It offers 4 flowers per stem, in the shape of large stars, composed of 6 petals. Each lancet-shaped petal is thick and iridescent. The flower's green-yellow heart releases a bouquet of long, curved pink stamens. Each bulb produces three thick hollow stems. Positioned back-to-back, the flowers together form a unique composition. The leaves are deciduous, ribbon-like and glossy dark green.

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 offer it at Christmas, consider planting it at the beginning of November. The 'Pyjama Party' variety pairs well with the Amputo Amaryllis, virginal and pure white, or with the Paperwhite or Erlicheer narcissus that have been carefully forced in the warmth. The small white bells of snowdrops can also adorn its base like stars. Preferably display it in the sun in front of a window.

Did you know? The Latin name 'Amaryllis' was the subject of fierce discussions among botanists: originally, this name actually 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 but also to the Hippeastrum (are you still following?), there was an outcry and the battle raged until 1987 when the botanists decided: the Latin name Amaryllis is preserved for the African species Belladonna but should no longer be used as the Latin name for Hippeastrum.