Hippeastrum (Galaxy Group) ‘Apple Blossom’

Each green-eyed trumpet-shaped bloom is a sublime blend of creamy white and pink, so the overall effect is really pretty. ‘Apple Blossom’ is perfect then for adding soft colour to the home for several weeks during the coldest months of the year – and it’s a holder of the prestigious RHS AGM, so this is one of the finest amaryllis you can grow.

Once flowering has finished, cut off the flower stalk 5-10cm above the bulb – don’t cut off the foliage. Water when the surface of the compost is dry and feed fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Reduce and cease watering from early autumn and move to a dry, dark spot for a few months allowing the foliage to die back, simulating the dormant, dry season of the plant’s native South America. In November bring it back into the light and begin watering again. Old foliage should be removed, though take care not to remove any new shoots. Expect flowers in six to eight weeks.

Please note that newly planted bulbs, using the technique described above, can take up to eight weeks to flower so plant or purchase as gifts in early November for flowering at Christmas. Bulbs purchased as gifts for Christmas are likely to flower from early February onwards.