Hippeastrum x johnsonii
22nd March 2011
Believed to be the first Hippeastrum hybrid produced, between H.reginae and H. vittata.
Raised by Arthur Johnson, a watchmaker from Prescot, some time before 1810. It seems to be one of the hardiest
Hippeastrum, the bulbs survive significant frosts but the leaves are destroyed and that may be enough to
prevent it being grown outside in the UK. If it did prosper outside I think we would be seeing
great clumps of it in the milder gardens after 200 years.