In the middle of winter, when snowbanks are high and gardens sit dormant under ice, a single houseplant can brighten more than just a room.
Barb Lepp’s amaryllis produced seven blooms at once, bringing a burst of colour indoors during the winter months
Barb Lepp recently discovered that firsthand when her amaryllis opened not one or two flowers — but seven blooms at the same time.
The brilliant blossoms quickly became the highlight of her home, offering a reminder that spring isn’t as far away as it feels.
Lepp purchased the bulb in early January at Homestead Co-op while it was on clearance and planted it right away. Some of the bulbs she bought were already beginning to grow inside their packaging, but she still wasn’t expecting such a dramatic display.
“I have NEVER had so many blooms on one plant,” she said.
Her goal was simply to keep the early flowers fresh long enough for the rest to open. Then the plant tipped over before the final buds bloomed, raising concern she might lose some of them. Instead, the next morning all seven flowers were fully open and undamaged.
Amaryllis bulbs are traditionally planted around Christmas and typically bloom about six to eight weeks later, making February their prime display season. Each stalk usually produces several large trumpet-shaped flowers, but having many open at once is a sign of a particularly strong bulb.
Lepp grows amaryllis every year and even shares the tradition with her grandchildren, giving each family one or two bulbs annually. During summer the plants are moved outdoors, then brought inside in fall and stored dormant in paper bags until after Christmas.
The blooming plant sits in a sunny south-facing sunroom among her many other wintered plants, which include geraniums, English ivy, calla lilies and canna lilies. She keeps a close eye on moisture once the flower stalk emerges but says the care routine is simple — regular checks and watering as needed.
She credits local garden club friends and bulb enthusiast Lyle Myers for helping her learn more about growing and caring for the plants over the years.
While many people discard amaryllis after flowering, the bulbs can bloom again each winter if allowed to grow leaves through spring and summer and then rest in fall.
Lepp purposely times her planting so the flowers arrive when winter feels longest.
“I always like to wait until after Christmas to plant my amaryllis bulbs so they bloom close to Valentine’s Day,” she said. “I am assured to get flowers for Valentine’s Day.”
For gardeners eager for warmer weather, indoor blooms offer a welcome lift during the coldest stretch of the year — a simple splash of colour while waiting for planting season to return.
