Van Tubergen amarine 'Aphrodite' × Amarine tubergenii 'Aphrodite' (PBR) (Belladiva Series)
ABOUT
'Aphrodite' is a bulbous perennial, to 50cm tall, with strap-shaped leaves that develop after flowering. Clusters of pale pink, trumpet-shaped blooms with darker pink stripes are produced on strong, upright stems in autumn
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Belladiva Amarine, Amarine 'Aphrodite'
Common names
× Amarine tubergenii 'Aphrodite' (PBR) (Belladiva Series).
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Bulb
Hardiness zones
8
Native area
Hybrid
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: The plant features beautiful, showy flowers that add aesthetic value to gardens and landscapes.
- Long Blooming Period: It blooms for an extended period, which ensures a garden has color and interest for a longer time during the growing season.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators, supporting biodiversity.
- Durable: × Amarine tubergenii 'Aphrodite' is known for being robust and able to withstand adverse conditions once established.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal attention once it's well situated.
- Cut Flower Use: The blooms make excellent cut flowers, with a long vase life, perfect for floral arrangements.
- Cold Hardy: It can survive in colder climates where many other plants may not thrive.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has good resistance to drought, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Adaptable: It can perform well in a variety of soil types, which makes it suitable for many garden settings.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Amarine as a dye plant: The crushed bulbs of Amarine can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics or paper crafting, offering a range of warm hues depending on the mordant used.
- Flower art: Amarine's striking flowers can be pressed and used in botanical art pieces or to beautify handmade papers, bookmarks, or greeting cards.
- Photography subject: Botanical photographers often seek out Amarine for its vibrant colors and interesting texture to add depth to their plant or garden portfolios.
- Garden design teaching tool: Horticulture instructors may use Amarine to teach garden design principles, showcasing how to incorporate bulb plants for autumn blooming.
- Floral ice cubes: Freeze small Amarine flowers in ice cubes to add an elegant touch to drinks for special events like weddings or garden parties.
- Children's garden projects: Being relatively easy to grow, Amarine bulbs can be planted by children as a simple gardening project to spark an interest in horticulture from a young age.
- Natural insect repellant: Amarine bulbs may be crushed and spread around outdoor seating areas, as some bulb plants are believed to deter certain insects.
- Landscape photography: Amarine's natural habitat, when blooming in situ, offers a picturesque scene that is ideal for landscape and nature photography.
- Perfume inspiration: While not directly used in perfumery, the scent of Amarine flowers may inspire fragrance designers for floral perfumes.
- Decorative potpourri: Dried Amarine flowers can be mixed with other botanical elements to create a visually appealing and fragrant potpourri for home decor.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Amarine is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Amarine is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty: Named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty, the 'Aphrodite' plant symbolizes exceptional beauty and grace.
- Luxury: Its association with divinity and its captivating appearance gives it a sense of luxury and opulence.
- Love: Being related to Aphrodite, this plant naturally inherits the symbolism of love, passion, and affection.
- Admiration: The stunning flowers of the Amarine tubergenii 'Aphrodite' evoke feelings of deep admiration and are often given to show appreciation.
- Femininity: With delicate flowers, the 'Aphrodite' links to femininity and the soft, nurturing aspects associated with it.
WaterThe Belladiva Amarine should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during its growing and blooming season in the spring and summer. It's best to water deeply once or twice a week, providing about one gallon per watering session for medium-sized pots. In hotter, drier conditions, more frequent watering may be required, while in cooler, cloudier conditions, you can reduce the frequency. Avoid overhead watering to prevent disease, and instead water directly onto the soil. During dormancy in winter, reduce watering to a minimum, only enough to prevent the soil from completely drying out.
LightBelladiva Amarine thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. It should be placed in a spot where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight a day, but in very hot climates, some afternoon shade will be beneficial to protect the plant from intense heat. Good bright light will promote strong growth and better blooms.
TemperatureBelladiva Amarine prefers moderate temperatures and will perform best when daytime temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive minimum temperatures of around 50 degrees Fahrenheit but will not tolerate frost. During active growth, keeping the plant in the ideal temperature range will encourage healthy development.
PruningPruning of Belladiva Amarine is mostly done to remove spent flowers and dead or damaged foliage to encourage healthy growth and better blooming. The best time to prune is after flowering, typically in the late fall. Deadheading, or removing old flowers, should be done as blooms fade to maintain a tidy appearance and sometimes to promote a second bloom.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Belladiva needs well-draining soil with a mix of two parts loam, one part sand, and one part peat, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 for optimal growth.
RepottingBelladiva should be repotted every two to three years or when the bulbs multiply and seem crowded in their current container.
Humidity & MistingBelladiva thrives in moderate humidity conditions, aiming for about 40-60% relative humidity for optimal plant health.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Belladiva in bright, indirect light, away from drafts.
Outdoor
Plant Belladiva in partial sun, shelter from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA.
Life cycle× Amarine tubergenii 'Aphrodite', commonly known as Belladiva, begins its life cycle when a seed germinates in warm, well-drained soil, typically in spring. The seedling then develops a bulb-like structure that stores nutrients for the plant's growth. As the weather warms, leaves emerge and photosynthesize to fuel further development. By late summer or early autumn, the Belladiva produces tall, sturdy stems topped with star-shaped pink flowers that attract pollinators. After flowering, the plant goes dormant, allowing the bulb to rest and conserve energy through the cooler months. The cycle resumes with the next growing season, as the bulb sends out new shoots to start the process anew.
PropogationPropogation time
Late summer
The most popular method of propagation for × Amarine tubergenii 'Aphrodite' (commonly known as Belladiva) is by dividing the offsets from the main bulb. This is usually performed after the flowering season when the plant is dormant, often in autumn or early winter. Gardeners should carefully unearth the bulbs and gently separate the offsets that have formed around the base of the mother bulb. These offsets can then be planted immediately in well-draining soil at a depth of about 3 to 4 inches (approximately 7.6 to 10.2 centimeters), spacing them about 8 inches (20.32 centimeters) apart to allow for proper growth and development. It's essential to maintain moderate watering to help the newly planted offsets establish, avoiding overly wet conditions that could cause bulb rot.
