Hello again, Members!
The fall season is wrapping up and we’re turning our focus to the holidays – and that means it’s time for our annual Amaryllis Sale – with a few updates that we think you’ll appreciate. This year, we’re bringing you stunning, unique amaryllis bulbs in two different formats: our well-loved, all-in-one, Amaryllis kits for the amazing price of $25 (the same as last year!), and a new selection of individual specialty bulbs for $20 each, for those who prefer to reuse a vase from a previous year, or have another one in mind.
Regardless of which bulb you choose, these eye-catching flowers are a simple, stylish way to bring some colour indoors (or check a couple of gifts off your list) while continuing to support Rockway Gardens. Read on to learn more about both formats, and the bulb varieties in each:
Amaryllis Kits
We’ve approached our Amaryllis Kits in the same way as past years – we’ve selected unique and interesting bulb varieties that should provide big, beautiful blooms, possibly with multiple stems (depending on the type). Each kit includes everything you need to grow your bulb: a thrifted glass vase that volunteers have hand-selected to ensure its shape is appropriate for an amaryllis, a bag of LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate) to use as a growing medium (the amount measured to fit each vase to ensure the correct bulb/LECA/vase ratio), an instruction sheet that explains the kit setup in detail, as well as instructions on how to treat your bulb after it blooms, so you can grow it again, and of course, a specialty Amaryllis bulb. The bulb varieties found in our kits this year include,
Double Blossom Red Peacock Amaryllis
A stunning beauty with large, red petals with a touch of white accents. This magnificent double flowering Amaryllis is noted for its exquisite proportion and is perfectly sculptured. It will produce 2 to 5 flowers on a stem arising from the bulb about 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
Double White Nymph Amaryllis:
Banish the winter doldrums with pure white, double blooms on 16-18″ stems. Double Amaryllis White’s flowers add plenty of dazzle and flair to indoor displays. This popular variety is great for holiday gifting and looks stunning! It will produce 2 to 5 flowers on a stem arising from the bulb about 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
Charisma Amaryllis:
Charisma has been named correctly. This white flower features brushstrokes of red across each petal and darker red piping along each edge. These flowers are distinctive and dazzling. Growing 18-22″ tall, this festive amaryllis produces 2 to 5 flowers on a stem arising from the bulb about 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
Minerva Amaryllis:
This classic-shaped Amaryllis is truly beautiful! It features red flowers with white strips radiating out of the centre of the petals, and a green throat right at the centre. These bulbs produce 2 to 5 large flowers on a stem arising from the bulb, about 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
Single Amaryllis Bulbs
For our individual bulbs, we’ve selected smaller, more exotic varieties that produce flowers that are different from those of a typical amaryllis. They feature both narrow petals, and unusual colours. These distinctive bulbs will not be available in a kit, and will need to be potted up by you. We recommend choosing a pot that is slightly larger than the bulb itself, allowing only 1cm of soil or so to show between the bulb and the edge of the pot. The single varieties include,
Chico Amaryllis:
Chico is a type of Cybister Amaryllis, which look more like wildflowers, butterflies, or spiders compared to traditional amaryllis. The petals are thin, elongated, and often reflexed (curled backward) with long, extended stamens. Chico is an extreme example of a Cybister, with very narrow elongated petals, the top in red and bottom in green. It will produce 2 to 5 flowers on a stem arising from the bulb about 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
Bogota Amaryllis:
Another Cybister amaryllis, Bogota has red flowers, the bottom petal of which appears in a lighter tone. It will produce 2 to 5 flowers on a stem arising from the bulb about 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
Mystica Amaryllis:
This Amaryllis has fluted blooms that are lime green with deep, cherry-maroon striping. It will produce 2 to 5 flowers on a stem arising from the bulb about 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
Evergreen Amaryllis:
These particularly fine flowers have darker apple-green throats merging into a creamy green, with exceptionally long, curved stamens. The overall effect is both exotic and elegant. It will produce 2 to 5 flowers on a stem arising from the bulb about 8 to 10 weeks after planting.
All of the bulbs that we offer are imported directly from Holland by the Rockway Gardens team and are available exclusively to GardenKitchener members. These varieties were chosen for their uniqueness and are not readily available at local retailers.
With more varieties available this year, there are fewer of each kind. Because of this, we’ll once again have purchase limits in place to ensure as many members as possible have the opportunity to take home – or gift – a special bloom. Each member may only purchase two bulbs in total, and only one per variety. (You may purchase any combination of bulb format – two kits, a kit and a single bulb, or two single bulbs.)
Also, because of some shipping challenges, we haven’t received our full stock of bulbs at the time of writing this letter. We’re going to launch the sale with the bulbs that we have. A second, smaller release may take place if / when any additional bulbs arrive.
Ordering will be available online via our website on Monday, December 1st at 12:30 p.m. Members will receive the link to the sale via email. You must be an active 2025 or 2026 member to complete your purchase, and logged into your account on the website. Please practice logging in ahead of time to ensure you’re able to do so. If you run into any technical issues, you can reach out to hello@kitchenerhs.ca, and we can help troubleshoot before the sale.
The kits will be available for pickup only, at the Garden House in Rockway Gardens on December 9th and 10th between 10am and 2pm.
Please note: it is important to know that Amaryllis are tender bulbs and can not be left in freezing temperatures! Transport them home in a warm car and bring them into the house immediately.
Don’t miss these rare beauties – they’ll add a pretty touch to your winter days, all season long.
Thank you, as always, for your support!
Sincerely,
Karin Clemens
Head Gardener & Grower, Rockway Gardens