Hippeastrum (Galaxy Group) 'Spartacus'

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A perennial bulb with green, semi-upright strap-shaped leaves. The flower stem is up to 50cm in height and bears 3 to 4 trumpet-shaped, bright scarlet flowers, with a white central stripe on each petal forming a star, and a lime green throat. They can reach 20cm in diameter and are produced from January to March

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Amaryllidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
Hippeastrum are deciduous bulbous perennials with slightly fleshy, strap-shaped leaves and stout, leafless stems bearing umbels of large, funnel-shaped flowers usually in winter or spring
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant from October to January using peat-free John Innes No.2 or peat-free multipurpose compost, into pots a little larger than the bulb itself. Two-thirds of the bulb should remain above the surface. Place in a well-lit spot at 21°C. Water sparingly until the new leaves develop and then start watering regularly. Turn the pot regularly to prevent the flower stem from bending toward the light. Once in flower, move the pot to a cool room to extend the flowering period. with a temperature ideally in the region of 15-18°C, and in a sunny position. For growing the plant on after flowering, and how to ensure flowers are produced the following year, see hippeastrum cultivation and bulbs for Christmas flowering for further information

Propagation

Propagate by dividing clumps of bulbs, removing bulb offsets in autumn, or propagate by seed sown as fresh as possible, at 16-18°C (61-64°F). Keep young plants growing actively, in moderate warmth, allowing no periods of dormancy

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Cut back flowering stems once flowering has finished. Cut back leaves as they go yellow, when bulb is going into dormancy

Pests

May be susceptible to bulb scale mite and narcissus bulb fly

Diseases

Generally disease-free