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Hippeastrum 'Red Lion'

Image of Hippeastrum 'Red Lion'

The U.S. National Arboretum

Family

Amaryllidaceae

Botanical Name

Hippeastrum 'Red Lion'

Plant Common Name

Florist Amaryllis, Hippeastrum, Red Lion Florist Amaryllis

General Description

Although commonly known as amaryllis, 'Red Lion' and its kin are hybrids not of the South African native Amaryllis belladonna but rather of Hippeastrum, native to South America. This tender perennial bulb bears large, showy scarlet red flowers on tall stout stems. Purchased bulbs are usually conditioned to bloom in winter, but left to their own devices bloom naturally in early spring to early summer. Leaves are strap-shaped and dark green.

This bulb is a vigorous grower in full sun to light shade in fertile, well-drained soil. Often grown indoors in containers, it makes an attractive garden subject where hardy, tolerating light freezes when dormant. For indoor forcing, give 'Red Lion' a cool dry dormancy in late summer and fall to promote winter flowering.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    10 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 11

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Bulb or Corm or Tuber

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    12"-24" / 30.5cm - 61.0cm

  • Width

    12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm

  • Bloom Time

    Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Clump-Forming

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Crimson

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Fragrant Flowers

    No

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Semi-Evergreen

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Cutflower, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No