With Christmas comes a host of traditional greenery – starting, not least, with the tree, but also comprising Holly, Mistletoe, and garlands. However, Martha Stewart has reminded us of another holiday staple that we should follow (as she has done) this season.
'My amaryllis this year started off with eight blooms, sent up four more, and then four more,' Martha says in the discussion of the classic flower that shouldn't be forgotten. Her amaryllis has 16 'super duper' dark burgundy flowers 'on impossibly long, strong stems' – resulting in the 'best amaryllis' she's ever grown.
Amaryllis has a rightful place among the best-loved Christmas plants and for a good reason. The flower radiates a festive ambiance through its striking red blooms, but its value extends beyond its visual appeal. In the nineteenth century, amaryllis came to symbolize strength and determination due to its durability and sturdiness. The plant is also described as a symbol of willpower and ethereal beauty – meaning it's an inevitable gift for those we love the most.
Knowing when to plant amaryllis bulbs is the first step to ensuring the plant looks beautiful for the holidays – but if we're not quite as prepared as Martha, we can still pick up a ready-grown amaryllis for our local nursery. So, we can enjoy this plant throughout the festive season without the preparation and (as experts explain) long into the new year.
'Christmas is about more than trees and wreaths; there are a whole host of stunning plants and houseplants that can enhance your home. And, given the proper care and attention, these plants can last well beyond the ringing of the bells on New Year’s Eve, so they really are the gift that keeps on giving and a worthwhile investment,' comments Dobbies’ horticultural director Marcus Eyles.
As an alternative to gifting ready-grown amaryllis, we could follow Martha's lead and grow one for ourselves (or give our loved ones the ability to grow their own, too). This kit offers everything we need to achieve a healthy amaryllis, including a large Red Double Amaryllis bulb, a red decorative planter, planting instructions, and a professional growing medium.
To achieve a traditional Christmas aesthetic, Marcus recommends pairing red amaryllis with other classic plants, such as red cyclamen and red anthurium, to accentuate our 'warm color scheme.' With these plants as a base, we should then incorporate 'bold scarlet and luxe gold tones' through gold-toned decor or plants of a similar hue.
'Outdoor plants like Skimmia rubella, Picea glauca Albertina ‘Conica’ will help tie the outside in and create a natural flow from home to garden,' he says.
As a pared-back alternative to Martha's red plant, we could opt for a white amaryllis that creates an 'elegant Champagne Sparkle look.' Marcus recommends dainty and delicate plants, including Camellia and white amaryllis, so we don't overwhelm more minimalist spaces.
