Featured Flower: Amaryllis
The name Amaryllis means "splendid beauty", and their name certainly fits these flowers. Called "the perfect cut flower for Christmas", the British have made the Amaryllis their new favorite (favourite?) Christmas plant. In the US, Amaryllis bulbs and cut flowers have gained in popularity in the last several years as well. And for no wonder--the blooms from the South American varieties are spectacular in shape, size and color, and are perched stately atop a sturdy stalk.
Originating in Central and South America, with smaller varieties originating in South Africa, the season for the Amaryllis is September to April, with the peak coming just in time for the Christmas holidays. Many Amaryllises flower in with petals of vibrant reds, whites or variegated, making them perfect for the season's decorating.
Bulbs and bulb kits are popular gifts for the winter holidays, but they are also very striking in cut flower arrangements. If you want memorable and dramatic flowers, talk to your local florist about an arrangement containing amaryllises.
You can see what the Florist Bloggers create with amaryllises at http://floristblogs.com/tags/amaryllis/default.aspx.
References:
http://www.flowers.org.uk/flowers/facts/a-d/amaryllis.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/main.jhtml?xml=/gardening/2007/11/16/garden-amaryllis116.xml
http://www.flowers.org.uk/flowers/facts/a-d/amaryllis.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippeastrum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaryllis
http://www.gardenline.usask.ca/plants/amaryll.html
http://faculty.ucc.edu/biology-ombrello/POW/amaryllis.htm