If you have been in a high end floral shop recently, you may have noticed a growing trend: amaryllis as cut flowers. I don't know if this has been driven by supply (commercial growers) or demand (floral designers), but it's great to see.
On their own or as part of a larger arrangement, these flowers are surprising, glamorous and incredibly long-lasting. If you buy a stem of amaryllis at a florist, you will probably buy it in bud. And what a good thing that is. These sculptural green buds have a beauty all their own. In fact, I have come to enjoy the buds just as much as the flowers. Take a look!
The protective sepals part to reveal the buds inside.
The sepals wither as the buds start to fatten up.
The buds separate and you can start to see which ones will be the first to open.
The buds reveal more of their color and begin to open.
Celebrating Both Buds and Blooms
As floral designers have discovered, amaryllis are fantastic cut flowers. They are add a wow factor to any size arrangement, and last for weeks in a vase. Plus, these big-blooming bulbs are incredibly beautiful even before the blossoms open.
Don't be bashful about using your home-grown amaryllis as cut flowers. Cut the stems close to the bulb and put them in a vase of cool water for a few hours. After giving them a rest, you can cut the stems to virtually any length.
This year, plan to get a few extra weeks of enjoyment out of your homegrown amaryllis by celebrating the beauty of the bud! You can learn more here: All About Amaryllis.
