Customer photo of amaryllis by Paula Friedlander of Central Valley, N.Y.

Dutch Gardens amaryllis are offered in three ways:

• Spring-planted bulbs, which are meant to be grown outdoors for bloom in the summer
• Fall-planted bulbs, which are meant to be potted in fall for indoor bloom
• Pre-planted bulbs that are just about ready to bloom—all you need to do is add water

If your amaryllis is not already potted, plant each bulb in a heavy 6- to 8-inch pot. Lightweight pots may tip over. Plant the bulb, pointed end up, in loose, rich, potting soil. Pack the soil gently around the bulb so approximately one-third of the bulb remains above the soil line.

If your bulb is pre-potted, check the soil right away and water if necessary. Place it in a sunny, indoor location. As the flowering stalk begins to sprout, periodically rotate the container to encourage the tall stalk to grow straight. You can expect blooms in about three to six weeks.

No matter what type of bulb you have, you might need to support the top-heavy flowers with an amaryllis stake or a sturdy plant support. Most amaryllis will produce two to three consecutive flowering stalks, each producing three to four flowers.

Amaryllis bulbs can be encouraged to re-bloom year after year. This takes a little extra care, but it is rather simple and very rewarding. After the flowers have faded, pinch them off but leave the stalk intact until it naturally withers. Allow the leaves to continue growing. Continue to water, and feed the plant regularly with a houseplant fertilizer. Amaryllis will grow a number of leaves during the spring and summer. For every four leaves produced during the summer, they will produce one flower spike the following season.

In mid-August, begin withholding water and let the foliage die back naturally as the pot dries out. Store the bulb in a cool, dark and dry place for a minimum of two months. Five to eight weeks before you want the amaryllis to flower again, repot the bulb in fresh potting soil and resume watering—sparingly at first. Once you see sprouting, increase watering and place the pot in a cool place with bright, indirect light. You can expect another dramatic floral display in five to eight weeks.