
Tod Swalm Photo 
“Pink Favorite’—Ludwig named variety of Hybrid Amaryllis as shown by us 
at spring flower show, Orlando, Fla., March, 1949, where it attracted much at- 
tention. 
The Showy Amaryllis 
In Amaryllis the world of flower lovers have the most beautiful and spectacular 
bulb flower of spring. A bulb which can be grown by any amateur or professional 
horticulturist, trained gardener or hobby plantsman, the tired businessman or the 
frayed scientist. A glance at our mailing list shows Amaryllis fans living all the 
way from Route 3, Hominy, Okla., to swanky Long Island and English estates. 
There is perhaps no more universal spring bulb flower. It can be grown in 
every state, every country, in every home, where there is a room maintained above 
50 degrees in winter. It has good size, shape and form, and above all, color. It 
comes into flower in the cold, drab months of spring, before the full awakening of 
Mother Earth, heralding as it were, the glorious garden show of a few weeks later. 
One may be happy with one bulb or many, but the more, the merrier, was never 
said in a truer sense. We have them from 25c to $10.00, and hope you will try 
some of our various strains. Hybrid Amaryllis is a full time job with us at Lakemont 
Gardens, and we are located in the midst of the largest Amaryllis-growing section in 
America. During the 30’s, Central Florida was the center of Amaryllis enthusiasm 
of the entire world, and it is fast regaining its former heights. 
The long line of Amaryllis hybrids goes back to a watchmaker named Johnson 
who is credited with crossing A. reginae and A. vittata to produce the first hybrid 
Amaryllis, Johnsonii, in Lancashire, England, around 1800. This is still a lovely 
5 
