Words and pictures from the author of And the Crows Took Their Eyes as well as the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries . . .
Monday, May 9, 2011
Blooming...
For years I thought of amaryllis as slight tacky plants -- in Florida our neighbor had a row of them in front of a hedge and they bloomed in blowzy profusion.
But here in North Carolina, where the big tender bulbs must remain in pots to be carried in for the winter, they seem more like exotic pets. . . slow-moving, to be sure, but fun to watch.
Or perhaps the unfolding of the bloom is more like a lovely ballet. . .
What seems like a single dancer alone on stage in a pas seul begins to move and separate . . . now there are two . . . or three . . . or four. . .
The music? Bolero, of course. Perfect from the small still beginning all the way to the blare of horns at the end.
What a marvellous description of this gorgeous plant, Vicki! I personally think they are beautiful and wish I could grow them as easily as your neighbour did!
Martin -- my first hearing of BOLERO was at an ice rink back in the Fifties -- it was the closing number of Holiday on Ice and involved the whole cast, dressed in south Asian garb. There was also a gilded idol (a hunky male skater) and a volcano. It may have changed my life.
Your amaryllis was the same colour as mine this year. I love that deep red. I left Jim in charge of mine this time and he did a good job of remembering to water it. I always remember his mum saying she wouldn't have one in the house because it reminded her of a large penis whilst it was growing. I was quite shocked when she said that, but it does, doesn't it. Loved your pictures of the flowers opening. It really is a gorgeous plant. Shall you grow it again next year?
17 comments:
Vicki -- I liked your sequence of photos -- they presented themselves like a dancer -- the music was the encore -- barbara
In December 2009 I got an an amaryllis for my birthday and it was wonderful to see it developing from bud to flower. You showed this perfectly well.
What a marvellous description of this gorgeous plant, Vicki! I personally think they are beautiful and wish I could grow them as easily as your neighbour did!
Whenever I hear Bolero, I think of Torvill and Dean or Dudley Moore and Bo Derek. Thanks for adding the option of amaryllis, much more appealing.
Like Martin.. I thought of Torvill and Dean too, but I played it and went slowly throught your pics.. gorgeous!
People use Amaryllis for Christmas presents here. They have to stay indoors and are usually thrown away after flowering.
You've made me fall in love with my Amaryllis all over again.
Martin -- my first hearing of BOLERO was at an ice rink back in the Fifties -- it was the closing number of Holiday on Ice and involved the whole cast, dressed in south Asian garb. There was also a gilded idol (a hunky male skater) and a volcano. It may have changed my life.
So beautiful! I had to scroll back to the top and then down through the photos while listening to the music...! :-)
"they bloomed in blowzy profusion"
I love that!
Fantastic post Vicki.
I don't grow them this time of year but I think they are amazingly fun to watch in the process of fully blooming.
so glad you caught this sequence...i think they are very pretty flowers...and i dont mind the slow opening...
Your amaryllis was the same colour as mine this year. I love that deep red. I left Jim in charge of mine this time and he did a good job of remembering to water it. I always remember his mum saying she wouldn't have one in the house because it reminded her of a large penis whilst it was growing. I was quite shocked when she said that, but it does, doesn't it. Loved your pictures of the flowers opening. It really is a gorgeous plant. Shall you grow it again next year?
Jim's mum had it right, Star. Yes, I hang on to my amaryllis -- I've had this one for years. They winter over in my little greenhouse.
A ballet, indeed. Gorgeous.
Yes, Bolero, perfect. Love the bloom in sequence.
Just catching up with you - Bolero is an inspired choice for the amaryllis.
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