Featured Plant: Amaryllis

The large amaryllis flowers are popular at Christmas -- mainly because the bulbs are easy to bring to bloom, even for those with “black thumbs.” But the bright blooms are even more welcome during these bleak days of winter.

Now you can fill your house with the essence of springtime without the bother of potting up the amaryllis bulbs yourself. The folks at Lavalette Nursery have done it for you. You’ll find lots of potted bulbs already starting to grow at the garden center and ready to bloom in a few weeks.

They’re available in many beautiful shades of red, white, pink and salmon, as well as striped and multicolored varieties, usually combining shades of pink or red with white. Put the plant in a sunny spot until it’s about ready to flower. When the plant is flowering, keep it out of direct sunlight. This helps to promote a longer flower life.