The origin of this coveted first hybrid amaryllis from circa 1800 has been debated for years but is most often regarded as the result of a cross of Hippeastrum reginae and Hippeastrum vittatum. The result is an amazingly hardy amaryllis, known as Hippeastrum x johnsonii, with reports indicating hardiness of Zone 5. The broad green foliage takes on a delightful coppery hue in full sun. In early May, the fast-multiplying, deer-resistant clumps of Hippeastrum x johnsonii contain as many as four stems per bulb and six flowers per stem. Each flower is a sweetly fragrant, bright red trumpet, with a dramatic white star pattern in the center. Good drainage in the winter is key to increased hardiness. Sadly, most plants sold as this are incorrectly named.
