I hope you’re not bored with all this Amaryllis talk, but I just love these glorious tropical flowers now that I’ve actually grown some. I think my three bulbs have just about worked through their lifespan now, and this photo is a close-up of the last bloom.

I asked Barbara if people could grow Amaryllis any time, or if it’s just at this time of year. She told me they can be grown at any time, but the challenge can be finding the bulbs. Although in our part of the world, Southern Ontario, they have traditionally been available in December and January, apparently they are now making their appearance at other times as people’s interest in exotic plants increases.

If you are buying Amaryllis bulbs at any time, Barbara tells me the important thing is that they are fresh. Fresh bulbs feel like good, firm onions, and not (in Barbara’s colourful description) soft and climbing out of their box!

Here’s a thought I just had: if you have a lovely Amaryllis plant, why not send us a photo and we’ll post it here where other newbie gardeners can see it. We’ll even put your name on it and you can be famous! Send your photo to helen@learningtogardenwithbarbara.com

P.S. — A week later, and the last bloom has now gone. There’s no sign of any more stalks, but there are some quite tall leaves. I didn’t know what to do with the plant now, whether to throw it out and, if so, whether to keep the soilless mix. So of course I asked Barbara.

Here’s what she told me. “For the amaryllis there are two things you can do — one continue to water, enjoy the leaves and put it outside in the summer to see if we can get it to bloom again next winter. Or two, just give it the old heave-ho — soilless mix and all.”

I decided on the second option. Although the flowers are beautiful, I don’t find the leaves all that attractive, and since I don’t have a lot of space I’m going to thank it very much and then throw it out. But if you are wondering what to do with your amaryllis, those are your options.