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Not Your Grandmother’s Amaryllis

Before we dive into the world of these stunning “new” amaryllis, let’s talk for just a minute about names.  While I have used the word “amaryllis” in the title and again in the first sentence, it’s because I’m writing for you, the gardening public, and not because it is necessarily accurate.  In fact, amaryllis has become…

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Species Lilies

I have a lot of friends who are plant hybridizers–good hybridizers–and for the most part, I love their plants. But there is one group of plants where my preference runs toward the wild species–untouched, unmanipulated, unmarred beauty. Species lilies. These are lilies as they appear in the wild, untouched by human hand, and they are…

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An Amaryllis By Any Other Name…

Hippeastrum cybister. Yes, yes, I know. More weird plants. Why not just talk about good old-fashioned red Christmas amaryllis? (Yawn.) Or everyone’s favorite, ‘Appleblossom’? (Yawn.) Or that beautiful red-and-white striped one that Granny grew every year? (Yaaawwn.) Alright, alright. I’m being unfair. I’m sounding like I don’t like the traditional, large-flowered Christmas amaryllis when really,…

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Colchicum autumnale

Suddenly and without warning, the colchicum have popped and begun spreading their autumn cheer through the garden. They act sort of like the “surprise lilies” (Lycoris) in that one day there is no sign of them, the next day there are buds poking through the soil and within 3-4 days of announcing their arrival they…