Sonatini Hippeastrums in New Zealand
Sonatini: A Cold-Hardy Bloomer for Every Garden!
Nope, this is not your regular Hippeastrum. Welcome to the world of Sonatini, the cool-climate-friendly cousin of the traditional Hippeastrum! If you’ve been wary of growing these beauties because of their tender nature, Sonatini will be a delightful surprise. These beauties have been specially bred to thrive outdoors in New Zealand’s diverse climates, from the frosty South to the tropical North.
Unlike their more delicate relatives, which often need coddling indoors, Sonatinis are cold-hardy. Forget about annual digging or pampering – these beauties are tough! They’ll happily bloom year after year without requiring the fuss. Whether you’re in a colder region or enjoying a subtropical paradise, Sonatini Hippeastrums will make themselves right at home.
A Bloom Extravaganza!
Each Sonatini bulb will produce two or three stems – and each of those stems is loaded with four or five gorgeous blooms. And here’s the thing: the longer you leave these bulbs to establish themselves, the more blooms you’ll get. So patience, my friends, will be richly rewarded with an explosion of flowers.
Sonatini: New to New Zealand, but a Global Sensation
Though relatively new to New Zealand, Sonatini Hippeastrums are already a global gardening sensation. These compact yet power-packed bloomers were developed by clever Dutch breeders using hardy species from the same family. The result? A more compact Hippeastrum (growing about 30-40cm tall) with the same, if not more, flower power. And their petite size makes them perfect for pots and garden beds.
Planting and Growing Your Sonatini Hippeastrums
-
In the Garden: Find a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and mix in a good helping of fertilizer or decayed manure. Plant the bulbs with the top third sticking out of the soil – they like a bit of sun on their noses!
-
In Pots: If pots are more your style, plant them just like you would in the garden – the bulb’s top third should remain visible. Make sure your pot is big enough to allow at least 3-4cm of soil around the bulb, with a 15cm pot being just suitable for most bulbs.
Once planted, these beauties should burst into bloom within 4-5 weeks. If you’re planning a festive display (hello, Christmas!), keep an eye on their progress. If they’re flowering a little early, move them to a cooler spot to slow things down. And if you’re waiting impatiently for those blooms, give them more sunlight to speed things up!
Why You’ll Love Sonatini:
Not only do they reward you with multiple blooms, but they also require very little maintenance – no indoor pampering, no annual digging, just blooms, blooms, and more blooms.
Sonatini is a fantastic choice to add a splash of colour and life to your garden or patio.
So, why not give these outdoor-friendly bloomers a try?
