| |
The
summer is winding down; fall is approaching. It seems to come
sooner every year. Those with green thumbs are thinking about
getting their gardens ready for winter, even as the late-summer
flowers begin to bloom. In a short growing season, many plant
lovers move their much-loved tropical specimens inside for
the winter, to bring some living greenery to the holiday season.
One of my favorite holiday plants is the Amaryllis, or Hippeastrum.
Almost all plants sold as Amaryllis in stores and garden centers
are actually Hippeastrum. Hippeastrum is very similar to Amaryllis;
in fact, they are sister plants. Both are in the family Amaryllidaceae,
and most plant owners would not notice the difference. Hippeastrum
is easier to grow indoors and flowers better in those conditions
than Amaryllis. Most likely, the bulb you bought that was
marked "Amaryllis" is really Hippeastrum.
|
|
