Nothing brightens a windowsill in winter like amaryllis, the National Garden Bureau's Bulb Plant of the Year, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein. The name "amaryllis" comes from a Greek word that means 'to sparkle.' "And sparkle it does," said Trinklein.
There are more than 600 varieties of this native South American bulb currently on the market, making it a favorite of gift-givers. According to the National Garden Bureau, most garden centers, websites, and garden catalogs label the easy-to-grow bulb's country of origin. Bulbs from Holland normally take four to eight weeks to bloom, while ones from South Africa take three to five weeks.
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