These are the finest of all summer flowering bulbs, throwing up strong
flower stems in June and July, bearing from two to six magnificent
lily-like blossoms. The varieties are numerous, but only a few sorts are
found catalogued. Amaryllis Johnsonii is the finest of the commonly
grown varieties. Its leaves are a dark rich green, two inches broad, and
two feet long. The flowers which are five or six inches long, are
crimson with a white stripe through the center of each petal, and are
borne upon a stalk two feet high. They usually bloom twice a year, the
flowers appearing just as the leaves begin to grow.
Amaryllis formosissima is of a very peculiar form. The flowers are
scarlet-crimson, very velvety in appearance; there are six petals, three
of them nearly erect, and three drooping very long. After being bedded
out, it quickly throws up a flower stalk and blooms before the leaves
appear. It is a superb flower, known sometimes by the name of Jacobean
Lily. Amaryllis vittata is a splendid hybrid, red ground striped with
white. Amaryllis Valotta purpurea is an evergreen variety, and should be
kept growing the year round. In August it throws up a flower-stem from
one foot to eighteen inches high, bearing a cluster of light scarlet
flowers two or three inches in diameter. A light soil and small pot
suits it best. Mr. John Lewis Child of Queens, N. Y., has a finer
collection and more numerous varieties than are usually found named in
the catalogues. Some of them we will specify. Johnsonii Grandiflora, an
improvement on the well-known Johnsonii Harrisoni, large, pure white,
with double crimson streaks running through each petal. It has a
delicious, orange-blossom fragrance. Reticulata, a bright rose color,
the foliage is very attractive--dark green with a white stripe running
through the center of each leaf. Aulica Stenopelalon, a magnificent
species, having large orange crimson flowers, beautifully veined with
scarlet. "Equestre fl. pl. This grand novelty was discovered in 1877, in
one of the West India Islands. The flowers are perfectly double,
resembling those of a large Camellia. Its color is rich, fiery orange
red. We believe we have the only stock of this beautiful flower in
America." JOHN L. CHILD.
This and Harrisoni, are priced at $4.50, so they must be very rare and
beautiful. Aspasie, white, tinted with yellow and red; large and
perfect. Crinum Amænum, new and very beautiful, white-striped crimson.
Lutea, a hardy variety, which blooms in the autumn; pure yellow.
Calafornica, pure white.
The bulbs are of easy culture. After blooming, and the foliage fully
grown, they should be allowed to rest for several months, then start
into growth by watering sparingly until the flower stalks appear, when a
more liberal supply should be given. Usually two successions of bloom
can thus be obtained. The bulb should be planted so as to leave the
upper portion uncovered.