The Amaryllis is a bulbous perennial plant belonging to the genus Hippeastrum, primarily native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. These plants are prized by gardeners for their massive, trumpet-shaped blooms, which can measure up to ten inches across on tall stalks. Amaryllis has become a popular winter houseplant, providing color indoors when the landscape is dormant. The wide array of available colors and intricate patterns is a testament to the extensive work of horticultural breeders.
The Primary Amaryllis Color Palette
The market for Amaryllis bulbs is dominated by foundational, solid colors. The most traditional color is red, ranging from bright scarlet to deep crimson shades. Cultivars like ‘Red Lion’ offer intense, uniform red petals, highly sought after during the winter holiday season.
White varieties present the opposite end of the spectrum, appearing in pure, snowy tones or sometimes a creamy white, such as the cultivar ‘Mont Blanc.’ Pink hues cover a broad range, from soft pastels to vibrant magentas. The popular ‘Apple Blossom’ variety features white petals that blush gently into soft pink at the edges.
Amaryllis also offers warmer colors like orange and salmon. These tend to have a rich apricot or peach undertone, as seen in varieties like ‘Orange Sovereign’ or ‘Rilona,’ which display a peachy-salmon coloration. These foundational colors are nearly solid, with any deviation typically confined to the throat of the bloom.
Striped, Picotee, and Bi-Colored Varieties
Beyond the solid colors, a significant portion of the Amaryllis spectrum features complex patterns created by the combination of two or more distinct colors on a single flower. Striped varieties display colors that run vertically down the petals, such as the ‘Minerva’ cultivar, which features red stripes radiating out from a white center.
The term “picotee” describes a specific pattern where a thin, contrasting color outlines the margin of the petals, creating a refined, bordered effect. The classic ‘Picotee’ variety features pristine white petals sharply edged with a fine line of red.
Bi-colored Amaryllis flowers feature two large, distinct color blocks, often blending together. The variety ‘Gervase’ is a notable example, displaying a highly variable pattern of white, pink, and red streaks across the petals. Uncommon novelty colors also exist, such as deep burgundy or near-black varieties, and green occurring in the throat or on the tips of petals, as with the pale green ‘Magic Green’ cultivar.
How Horticultural Breeding Creates New Colors
The diversity of colors and patterns seen in modern Amaryllis is the direct result of hybridization and selective breeding. The wild Hippeastrum species, from which all modern Amaryllis descend, naturally display a much more limited range of colors. These wild forms provided the genetic foundation for all subsequent color variations.
Horticultural programs involve cross-pollinating different parent plants to produce seeds that combine the genetic traits of both. This process allows breeders to isolate and enhance desirable characteristics, such as flower size, petal shape, and color. Breeders manipulate specific pigments, like anthocyanins for reds and pinks, or carotenoids for yellows and oranges, to create novel hues. The continuous work of dedicated breeders ensures the ongoing introduction of new color combinations and patterns into the commercial market.