Amaryllis 'Faro' is Perky

Besides Amaryllis 'Rozetta' (which I posted about here), I also have three pots of 'Faro' blooming. These single, salmon-colored blooms have a different character than Rozetta's double pink flowers. If these flowers were dresses, Rozetta would be a taffeta ball gown and Faro would be a chic a-line.



Though all the bulbs were planted at the same time, Faro took about two weeks longer to start blooming. Now the last flowers on the second and third stalks of Rozetta are fading while Faro's second round is just starting.



Because Faro is a single flower, its anthers have not been converted to extra petals, and it produces pollen. I doubt its sticky, heavy pollen would get into your nose to cause allergies, but the pollen does make a little mess beneath the pot if you bump the flowers. With three little kids and a clutzy gardener in residence, flower bumping happens regularly around here. I accidentally snapped off two or three of the buds on various amaryllis. Oops.



The strips on Faro's flowers are coral, and enjoying them has inspired me to look for more coral-colored flowers for outside. I'm currently thinking that I really need some coral peonies. Since I'm a nut for researching plants, I looked at a number of websites and catalogs to find the best coral peony.



I finally emailed the owners of Swenson Gardens, a Minnesota nursery specializing in peonies, and asked which coral peony would have the most vivid color with the least fading. I was pleased to get a reply stating that although all the corals fade somewhat, Coral Charm would have the most color. I'll probably order a couple this fall, but meanwhile I'll enjoy the last of my perky amaryllis blooms.