I have always loved amaryllis (Hippeastrum) and have several of the classics that bloom for me every year, but they require winter in the garage. I have always wanted to try the hardy amaryllis Hippeastrum x Johnsonii (hardy to at least zone 7), and found the variety 'Ackermanii' over at Plant Delights Nursery this past spring (2007). It did not bloom last year, but it made up for that shortfall with this year's bloom:
I think I will keep it!
Steve