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The hardy red amaryllis, Hippeastrum x Johnsonni, is one of the most spectacular spring-flowering bulbs and is considered a garden heirloom.
Plants that gardeners carefully and lovingly pass down generation after generation are referred to as heirloom plants.
In his book Perennial Garden Color, William C. Welch explains that these are "living antiques because they are tangible symbols of success for generations of Southern gardeners. Many have been lovingly handed down among the families that contribute cultural diversity and richness to our gardens."
"The fact that these plants have been time-tested in our Southern climate and soils over a long period makes their use in today's gardens a compelling choice."
Hardy red amaryllis, also known as St. Joseph's lily, is thriving and blooming now in many Brazos Valley gardens.
The brilliant-red, trumpet-shaped blooms are eye-catching.
Each stem of this old garden favorite bears a cluster of fragrant flowers with a dramatic white stripe in the center of every petal.
Welch states that "their foliage is strap-shaped and long, sometimes to twenty-four inches. Often it does not appear until after flowering and fades away in early autumn. Old clumps can produce dozens of thick flower stems, each topped with six or more funnel-shaped, red flowers."
According to Welch, "Hippeastrum x Johnsonii is the first hybrid amaryllis ever recorded; reportedly, it was produced by an English watchmaker named Johnson about 1812.
"A hybrid between H. reginae and H. vittatum, H. Johnsonii is more tolerant of heavy clay soils and cold than other amaryllis. Although the individual flowers may not be quite so large as those of the modern Dutch hybrids, H. Johnsonii produces many more flowers per stem and is a much longer-lived garden plant than the modern hybrids, which are bred primarily for pot culture.
"Clumps may be divided and reset in the fall with the necks of the large bulbs left slightly above ground level."
Although limited in availability, this hardy amaryllis is worth the effort to locate.
Some sources include www.oldhousegardens.com, www.southernbulbs.com and www.bigdipperfarm.com.
Perhaps, if you are lucky, a gardening friend will pass along a family heirloom.
• Charla Anthony is the horticulture program assistant at Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Brazos County, 2619 Texas 21 W., Bryan, Texas 77803. Her e-mail address is charla.anthony@ theeagle.com.
