Gardening
Go Beyond the Traditional with Unique Amaryllis Varieties
Flamenco Queen is a new and unique amaryllis variety with a later bloom time.
Photo courtesy of Longfield-Gardens.com
Boost your spirits and winter décor with new shapes and colors of amaryllis. Today there are many beautiful options beyond the traditional red.
Double amaryllis have jumbo flowers with multiple layers of petals. Kick off the season with the early-blooming variety Alaska. Its frilly white petals contrast nicely with the lime green throat and the flowers last for weeks. Early blooming amaryllis are grown in the southern hemisphere and, if planted by early November, they bloom in time for holiday decorating and gift-giving.
Extend amaryllis season with doubles that are grown in the northern hemisphere. Start these amaryllis bulbs any time before January for flowers in mid to late winter. Sweet Nymph has layers of creamy white petals that are decorated with coral pink stripes. The blossoms add romantic charm to any setting. The extra-large flowers of Giant Amadeus change colors as they go from bud to mature bloom. The blossoms start out mostly white with a fine red outline. The color of the petals gradually intensifies to blushing pink, rose, and coral.
Doublet is another stunning winter-blooming double. Its flowers feature narrow petals in a variety of widths, all with red and white candy cane stripes. You can expect two or three flower stalks from each bulb and as many as a dozen flowers. For more subtle beauty, consider double amaryllis Elvas with white petals outlined in red.
New varieties of single amaryllis can be equally dramatic. Opal Star is an early bloomer with slightly longer and narrower petals than most. Its muted, pale red flowers feature a chartreuse and white star in the center that extends to the tips of the petals. Cape Horn has broad, rose-pink petals and a white star. Remember to plant these early-blooming amaryllis in the fall so you can share living bouquets for the holidays.
Keep the flowers coming with varieties that bloom in January and February. Terra Cotta Star is sure to attract attention with its striking colors and exquisite details. The salmon, rose, buttercream and pistachio petals have dark red veining that makes each blossom a standout. Yellow Star is another unique variety with elegant ivory and lime green flowers that are sure to lift your spirits. Rosy Star's exquisite flowers feature snowy white petals and a rose-pink blush.
Don't underestimate red amaryllis as there are many exciting variations to choose from. Charisma is an early-blooming single with petals that display an ombre effect of red and white. Gervase and Flamenco Queen are later blooming singles with a similar fade on their petals. For extra bold red and white flowers, consider single amaryllis Spartacus or Minerva, and the double variety Splash.
Order your amaryllis bulbs early for the best selection. When the bulbs arrive, store them in a cool, dry dark place until you are ready to plant. After you pot up the bulbs, place them in a warm, bright location to encourage them to break dormancy. Once the first bud emerges, you can expect to have flowers in two to four weeks. Enjoy all the beauty that growing amaryllis (Longfield-Gardens.com) provides with only minimal care.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything" DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Longfield Gardens for her expertise to write this article. Her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Antiques
Local Memorabilia Auction
In previous columns, I've noted that finding historical objects is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job. I am especially interested in local history, so the auction I'm currently cataloging, featuring Worcester related items from the early 1700s through the 20th century, has been especially exciting.
Most of the impressive collection is comprised of items from other Massachusetts and New England towns. Some of the earliest pieces are land deeds and other legal documents from the area. Several books printed by printer and revolutionary war soldier, Isaiah Thomas of Worcester, are also part of the collection.
The collection includes many books about Worcester and towns in Worcester County from the early 1800s. There are also bound editions of the Worcester Massachusetts Spy and other newspapers from the late 1700s and early 1800s. Additionally, it features local history books from many towns throughout Massachusetts.
Beyond the books, the collection has plenty of other items that will appeal to local collectors. There are many pamphlets, price guides and other materials from factories when Worcester was an industrial center, postcards showing points of local interest in the city along with local fire and police badges, and some taxi badges, just to name a few. Norton Company produced stoneware crocks and jugs, and they will also be represented in this auction.
Advertising items are always popular with collectors. A corner of the hall is set up like an old pharmacy. Apothecary jars, a mortar and pestle, and other medical items are displayed like they would have been in a drug store during the turn of the century. The collection was moved from a closed Torrington, Connecticut drug store to the Worcester location where it is currently housed.
A recreated country store occupies the opposite corner of the room. There are multiple tin cans of cleaners, soap and food products that you would have seen in a country store during the turn of the century.
There are also large signs advertising Andreson and Patterson (Worcester) Ice Cream, a large Cincinnati Water Purifier by Ross Brothers Washburn and Moen Steel Barb Fencing (barbed wire) sign. Ross Brothers distributed seeds via mail from their Worcester location.
Worcester is known for producing Valentine's Day cards, and this collection includes some from the 19th century along with a Whitney Valentines card sample book circa 1930s. Hopefully this collection of items from the "Heart of the Commonwealth" offers something that will warm your heart.
The auction will open for bidding in mid-November. There will be a preview in Worcester (I'll provide the location in my next column) on Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4th. The auction will end on Monday, December 7th and local pickup will be available on Saturday, December 10th and Sunday, December 11th.
Bidding ends on November 15th for our online jewelry, coins and sterling auction. The sports card and memorabilia auction with the rare Virginia Brights baseball tobacco cards ends November 17th. The auction with art, historical memorabilia, antiques and collectibles will begin in a couple of weeks. I hope to see some of you this Saturday, November 5th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Leicester Senior Center to raise money for the Leicester Historical Society. Please visit our website www.centralmassauctions.com for links to upcoming events.
Please contact us at: www.centralmassauctions.com (508-612- 6111) info@centralmassauctions.com for antiques and collectibles auction services.