I grow severial types of amaryllis, including the St. Joseph lily in my zone 7b/8a. I have some of the ones that you buy in a box at Christmas in my garden that has been blooming for 4 years now. I don't know about about how they do in lower zones , but they do good here. Tony

Thanks Tony for the heads up. I'm going to grow mine in a container I think. I'm actually in zone 7b, so hopefully mine will be hardy. When does your "St. Josephs Lily" bloom?

I have H. x johnsonii that was a pass-along from a neighbor when I moved here 20 years ago. It's still going strong. Gorgeous blooms and does readily produce more bulbs. Some of mine eventually succombed to rot because they were planted in an area that collects a lot of runoff during heavy rain. But the ones in the well-drained area are still going strong.

Ditto for here in N.O. I have the hardy types growing all around with zero care on my part too. Very tough bulbs here. They grow well in very shady spots. When they bloom I'll have zillons of seed if you would like some. I've grown them out from seed and they are very easy to get going. I float start mine. You let the seed float in a glass of water till you see roots starting then pull out of water and pot up. Takes about three years from seed to flower and you never know what type of flower you will get; solid , variegated along flower edge or from center. All sorts of fun ;o)
Mike

Can you all tell me when yours bloom? Does the foliage stay green after they bloom or does it die back?

My Johnsonii's bloom in late May in Charlotte. They are easy to grow. Mine are pretty much in clay! The foliage stays green until a heavy frost. The bulbs multiply into huge clumps! I highly recommend these bulbs.

I have both H. Ackermanii, and H. x johnsonii from PD's.
Doing fine after four or five years here in Atlanta. They dieback completely and have a habit of coming up too early and getting zapped by late frosts Does not seem to bother them at all, they just keep growing.

LauraAnn

Laurann: Since you have both of the ones I'm thinking about can you tell me any differences. Do you prefer one over the other? The picture of the Ackemanii looks like it has larger, more relexed blooms then Johnsonii. Any difference in height, color?

Hi Mary1,
Johnsii is in more shade and has been divided so it's at a disadvantage for growth. As far as looks go, they are extremely similar. I wouldn't know which was which unless I was really trying to compare them..which I've never really done.
LauraAnn

Thanks Laurann. Maybe I'll just toss a coin (LOL).