Plants Surprise You All The Time!!

I've never been sure about Amaryllis (or Hippeastrum as I should more correctly call them), and now I don't know why? They're incredible - quite the most luxurious addition to the festive season that I can think of! I've got two now and could become addicted with both bulbs coming from Riverside Bulbs (fantastic quality and always willing to advise and help). The first that I treated myself to in my first Xmas here, was Hippeastrum 'Christmas Gift' - a flower that was glowing white and pure on the kitchen window sill just after Xmas and with me long into the New Year. The kitchen windows face east and there is a radiator below the sill and the situation seemed to suit 'Christmas Gift' down to the ground. As advised, once the flowers had finally finished (and it truly was a gift as there were two strong flower stalks), I cut the stalks back and continued to water and now to feed the bulb. Once all chance of frosts had passed I popped it outside in a shady corner and forgot all about it really, watering every now and then. In August she flowered again, shorter stalk but the flowers even bigger than at Xmas! I was delighted. The second bulb, also from Riverside, is H. 'Terracotta Star'. Having two, I popped them on the bedroom window sill - same aspect but no radiator but still wonderful flowers AND unbelievably, H. 'Christmas Gift' flowered again - not at Xmas but in March and no less welcome for that. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep them happy again this year and who knows they might thank me with another flower! I might have to pick another though just to try and guarantee some glory at Xmas!