PLANT FINDER
Ackerman Hardy Amaryllis
Hippeastrum ackermanii
Height: 18 inches
Spacing: 8 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 7a
Description:
A hardy amaryllis that is vigorous and resilient; toxic to wildlife, squirrels and the like will leave them alone; extraordinary large trumpet flowers emerge from tall stems, making a bold visual statement in the garden or container
Ornamental Features
Ackerman Hardy Amaryllis features bold spikes of scarlet trumpet-shaped flowers rising above the foliage in late spring. Its attractive glossy sword-like leaves remain green in color throughout the year.
Landscape Attributes
Ackerman Hardy Amaryllis is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a rigidly upright and towering form. Its medium texture blends into the garden, but can always be balanced by a couple of finer or coarser plants for an effective composition.
This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and should be cut back in late fall in preparation for winter. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Ackerman Hardy Amaryllis is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- General Garden Use
- Container Planting
Planting & Growing
Ackerman Hardy Amaryllis will grow to be about 15 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 8 inches apart. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.
This plant does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division.
Ackerman Hardy Amaryllis is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a mass of flowers and foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.
Characteristics
Applications
Ornamental Features