The ‘Legend‘ Amaryllis (often sold as Hippeastrum ‘Legend’) is a popular cultivar known for its exceptionally large, dramatic, and velvety deep red blooms. It is a favorite choice for holiday decorating and gifting, particularly during Christmas, due to its striking color and ease of care.
Key Characteristics
- Color & Form: The flowers are a rich, vibrant crimson or deep red, often with a slightly darker, velvety texture and a subtle green throat. The blooms are large, funnel-shaped, and usually 4-8 inches across.
- Stems & Growth: The ‘Legend’ variety produces strong, thick, leafless stems (scapes), with each bulb usually producing 1-3 stems, each yielding 3-5 flowers.
- Blooming Season: As a “forced” bulb, it typically blooms 6-10 weeks after planting indoors, often timed for December or early January.
Care Instructions
- Light: Thrives in bright, indirect sunlight.
- Watering: Water sparingly when the stem first appears, increasing to moderate, regular watering once the leaves and flowers develop.
- Potting: Plant in a well-draining pot, leaving the top one-third of the bulb exposed above the soil.
- Post-Bloom: After blooming, cut the flower stalk, keep the leaves, and continue to water. In late summer, allow the bulb to go dormant in a cool, dry place for 8–12 weeks before re-planting.
Symbolism
The ‘Legend’ Amaryllis, like all red amaryllis, symbolizes deep love, passion, and admiration, making it an excellent gift to convey strong affection. It also represents pride, strength, and determination due to its ability to bloom in the middle of winter.
The ‘Legend’ Amaryllis, like all red amaryllis, symbolizes deep love, passion, and admiration, making it an excellent gift to convey strong affection. It also represents pride, strength, and determination due to its ability to bloom in the middle of winter.
