Q: I have planted amaryllis outdoors. After they’ve finished blooming do I need to cut the stalks down? How far?

A: Cut the thick flower stalks down to their base. Leave the amaryllis foliage in place for the rest of the summer. I’ve had spotty success with holiday amaryllis coming back year after year but my hardy amaryllis, Amaryllis x johnsonii, puts up big red flowers every year in May.