In Greek mythology, a fair maiden named Amaryllis falls in love with a handsome but cold-hearted shepherd named Alteo. Alteo, who cared only for wildflowers, declared that only a flower unlike any seen before could win his affection.

Amaryllis sought guidance from the Oracle of Delphi. The Oracle told Amaryllis that, to attain Alteo’s love, she would have to sacrifice her blood to win him over. For the next 30 days, Amaryllis stood outside Alteo’s cottage dressed in white, piercing her heart with a golden arrow each night as her blood dripped on the pathway.

The legend says that, on the 30th day, two miracles occurred. On the pathway grew a stunning, crimson flower from her blood. Seeing the beautiful flower, Alteo fell in love with her, and their story gave the plant its name.

The legend may be romantic, but the real amaryllis operates on a less dramatic timetable. A bulb takes at least six to eight weeks to bloom, though this timeline depends on the bulb’s size and the........

© Dawn (Magazines)