By Lisa Carolin
The garden room at Silver Maples of Chelsea has been a destination for plant fans recently. That’s thanks to resident Dr. Ross Margeson and his colossal amaryllis plant.
Margeson, 95, started the plant when his wife Bette was still alive and the twosome resided in Ann Arbor. It was a Christmas gift.
“We kept it outside until the following year and brought it inside at frost time, putting it in a closet for a month,” said Margeson. “Then we brought it out and put it in a sunny spot.”
They repeated the pattern every year moving the amaryllis outside every May.
The couple moved to Silver Maples in 2015 bringing their amaryllis, which had two flowers, with them. The plant is now in full bloom and has nine flowers.
“The key is nature and nurture,” said Margeson. “I give it lots of water and fertilize it monthly. The plant gets lots of sun in the summertime because that’s where it gets its energy.”
Margeson’s amaryllis has been quite the talk at Silver Maples.
“I thought it was spectacular and wanted to share it,” he said.
Great story!
Very beautiful ! My mother had them also . She too knew how to continue the flowering for years .
It is spectacular! Thank you for sharing.
Awesome job, Ross. Absolutely beautiful.