The parade of mid-winter-blooming Amaryllis continues. This is Amaryllis ‘Royal Velvet’! It’s supposed to grow 24 inches tall with flowers up to 8 inches across. This cultivar has lovely dark-red flowers with good petal substance (perhaps that’s where the “velvet” in its name comes from!).
One of the scapes from the bulb I potted up in November stopped at 24 inches, and the second reached 27 inches tall. Both showcased 4 flowers.
I did have to stake this amaryllis and turn the pot almost daily to keep the scapes growing straight. The flowers are fully out-facing.
I’m partial to dark-red or black-red amaryllis cultivars. If I didn’t have to regularly fuss to keep it growing straight (especially when in bloom and top-heavy), I’d I’d be much more enamored by this amaryllis.
The flowers are definitely eye-catching!