the amaryllis you are seeing are hardy amaryliss. Not sure where you get them from, but if you find out, please let me know! I had some in my garden, but when we had it re-graded they disappeared

I'm not near you, but I have amaryllis in the ground and they come back and bloom every year. I'm seeing different types everywhere blooming right now. Don't know for sure, but I'm thinking most of them are probably hardy to 7b.

I'll bet it's St. Joseph's Lily. Hippeastrum x johnsonii or Hardy Amaryllis as stated earlier. A very choice passalong plant.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hardy Amaryllis

I have the regular "christmas amaryllis" hardy in the ground too. I bought them at the Loganville growers market, 3 bulbs for $1!!! I have white, "red lion" and then another group of red and white striped, probably "Toronto" from my neighbour. The orange from Vroomp hasn't bloomed yet, but it's out there. My St. Joseph's lily blooms a little later.
If you get gifts of amaryllis at christmas, hold them until spring and PLANT THEM!! They make excellent and unusual plants. Not many people know they are hardy here.
I grow an increasing number of amaryllids and their relatives, most commonly thought to be hardy only to zone 9 in the past.

GGG

GGG, I'm glad you posted this. I THOUGHT they were all hardy here, but it's good to know that for sure. Mine are the "Christmas-type amaryllis" also.

I have some red ones, don't know the exact kind,it comes back.. they are bloomimg now.
to see go to:
http://community.webshots.com/user/mcauthen

Here's a few shots of mine. I don't know what variety they are. The red and white is in full sun and has been there many years.
The darker red is in some shade. I was given it as a single bulb maybe 3 years ago.
I also have appleblossum but it has finished blooming.

Thanks to everyone for the information. Now I know what I've been seeing is indeed St. Joseph's Lily. Cactusfreak, your Amaryllis are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your photos.

I was fortunate enough to have someone from the Alabama forum respond as well. Turns out she lived close by and was nice enough to swap some with me for some Homestead purple Verbena.

Happy gardening everyone! Sincerely, Squirrellypete

Goodness Grows over in Lexington sells hardy amaryllis.

FYI growers outlet had them on sale for $1 today. I didn;t get any but got a truck load of other stuff!