Last week, Anna of Green Tapestry apologised for ‘cheating’ when she shared her amaryllis/hippeastrum In a Vase on Monday. Happily, our rules for this meme are fairly fluid and contributors share vases very much in the spirit of it, and it was by no means cheating – and I am not just saying that because I doing something very similar this week! In fact, I am very grateful to Anna for messaging me back in November to let me know that ‘a certain German supermarket’ had these bulbs in stock, allowing me to hotfoot it down to our local store ASAP.
Anna’s bulb came in the glass vase she shared, whereas I bought boxed bulbs, complete with impractically dry compost and a pot with no drainage hole. Given a better start, the bulb took around five weeks to get to this stage and as well as the first two trumpets I noticed today that there are a further five generous trumpets to come! Having lifted the bulb out of its pot and placed it in a lead crystal vase for today’s post, it will shortly be returned to the security of its potted home so as not to risk losing the promise of all those blooms. Like Anna’s, my bulbs were unnamed, but the box did depict the contents so I knew what to expect; I think is probably ‘Appleblossom’.
In the absence of any trumpets amongst the random ‘stuff’ in our house, miniature bagpipes will have to suffice instead; when pressed, they play ‘Scotland the Brave’. Blogging friend Chloris of the Blooming Garden is responsible for the bagpipes – having posted a vase with a Scottish connection she lamented her lack of bagpipes as a prop, but felt certain I would have some. I didn’t, but it was a challenge to seek them out. and they were quickly found on eBay. Like many quirky things, they are attached to a key ring.
Please do consider joining us with a vase today, ideally with material from your own garden or home – flowers, foliage, grasses or twigs, vase or jam jar or no container at all. Its creation will bring you pleasure and we would love to share in the joy it brings.
Rambling in the Garden 
Beautiful delicate colour on your ‘Appleblossom’ trumpet! Mine are also opening this week, but are planted in soil (growing in the same pot for many years) so not sure if I’ll be cutting them for a vase…nice to have in January eh?
It is indeed, isn’t it? I would usually cut the stem, but I decided to keep it intact this year, especially with all those potential blooms to come. Since the UK left the EU, these discount supermarkets haven’t had the amaryllis in and elsewhere they are so expensive, especially if you don’t keep them from year to year – so I am thrilled to have them again this year! Good to have you with us again this week, Chris 👍
Oh that’s a beauty Cathy with the promise of more to come – it certainly merits a fanfare 🎺 Your flowers look larger than the ones I have in my ready made seasonal vase. I’ve only recently planted my boxed purchase which purports to have white flower so it’s a case of watch this space. I would love to see how they grow in warmer climes. My vase is here :https://greentapestry.blogspot.com/2024/01/iavom-just-picked-and-plonked.html
I could measure the blooms if you like – not sure I would say they are particularly large. I think I planted my red one next, and am leaving my white one till last, although It’s probably about time I planted that one too.
It’s a lovely flower, Cathy. Does look like ‘Appleblossom’. The soft pink accent is quite appealing. I didn’t realize you continue to actively collect your props. My sister would love the bagpipes. With needing a vase in mind for today, I rescued a flower one day last week before some heavy rains. https://pbmgarden.blog/2024/01/08/in-a-vase-on-monday-anemone-and-orange/
Well now, I don’t actively collect props, Susie, so the bagpipes were a one-off – although I do pick up random things from the street if I see them (like last week’s monkey). Why would your sister like the bagpipes, I wonder…?!
Some Scottish and Irish heritage. She and another sister have visited both countries and she loved it.
That bulb is providing a lot of bang for the buck. wonderful. I always forget to plant these for the holiday. I like that one, something different. Bagpipes are a great addition. Our family tartan is not so pretty! Here is my vase. Thank you for hosting. https://theshrubqueen.com/2024/01/08/in-a-vase-on-monday-bromo-seltzer/
I am so pleased to have been able to buy these reasonably priced ones this year, as I have missed them since we left the EU. I think I remember you mentioning your tartan before, but I can’t remember what was so ‘awful’ about it… 😉
That reminds me that I have to get mine started. Actually the bulbs are in the closet waiting so they are probably already starting. I do love amaryllis/hippeastrum but they go so fast when they bloom. The pink in yours is dreamy. Been connecting to pink these last few months. Back to my childhood favorite color. Maybe because of the Barbie movie (which I haven’t seen yet). Anyway, my vase is another grocery store bouquet in a lovely color to start the year. Have a great week and many more blooms! https://gardenseyeview.com/2024/01/08/stretching-myself-in-2024/
Thanks – these bulbs always bring such joy, along with their exuberant growth rate!
Beautiful..Mine left over form it’s glory from last year doesn’t look as though it wants to shine this year. Maybe next year it will recover.
Thanks Beverley – I no longer try to keep mine from year to year, as I have never been successful yet and they just look like sad imposters…
I’ve become very fond of Amaryllis/Hippeastrum and ‘Appleblossom’ is one of my favorites. While one of mine got an early start, the others are trailing well behind; however, I grow all of mine outside so, even in sunny California, they take their time when our temperatures are lower than usual. Finding floral material is still a bit of a scavenger hunt but here’s my post: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2024/01/in-vase-on-monday-poles-apart.html
Thanks for hosting, Cathy!
How long do they take from initial emergence to flowering, Kris?
They’re very unpredictable, Cathy. I planted 9 new bulbs in pots in late November this year, all within days of one another. One is just about to open its third bloom stalk, two have a good start with their blooms stalks, several are poking up green points, and the rest haven’t done anything yet. When planted in the ground they don’t usually bloom until spring.
That’s really interesting to hear, Kris. Thinking about it, I suspect in Europe they may well be treated for quicker blooming by keeping them in cold storage before they appear for sale
Cheating?! The flowers do most of the work anyway. Some of the flowers that I shared in the past were from the forest, where I was not involved with growing them.
That’s fine, Tony – we do usually say ‘or foraged locally’, but the ‘rules’ are very fluid and using the word ‘cheating’ is very much tongue in cheek… 😉
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A very pretty one Cathy, and definitely deserving of some trumpet blowing. Or bagpipe playing! Amazing what you can find on ebay! I am using a Hippeastrum too today. Thanks as always.
AS you may now know, I am very tardy with replying to comments this week!
Haha, love the keychain for a prop, and the amaryllis looks perfect. Well done! I’ve had plenty a purchased bulb come up with problems, so buying the bulb is often just the first step.
Oh indeed – and this one fell out of its post yesterday because with 4 blooms now it was top heavy and had minimal roots! 🤣
A very charming prop to go with the lovely Hippeastrum!
Thanks Eliza – very kitsch though!!
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I love where your imagination has taken you, from a trumpet to bagpipes – love it! And Amaryllis is simply beautiful.
My vase for this week is here – https://homelifeonlineblog.com/2024/01/08/in-a-vase-on-monday-tiny-treasures/
Thank you – and sorry for my tardiness in replying and seeking out your vase…I have been busy in the garden!
The garden comes first, always! 🙂
How fun with the bagpipes! And the Amaryllis is stunning!
Thanks Beth