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Spring starts and you’re looking for that unique and unusual addition to
your garden. With some planning and preparation now, our little-known spring bulbs should
be just the ticket for that conversation piece during the backyard barbecue.
Dahlias, gladiolas and cannas are standard spring
bulbs among anyone’s selections. But what about the 18 varieties of "specialty
bulbs" we carry that few people have heard of? As is common with most spring bulbs,
the specialty bulbs are not winter hardy in our climate so they will have to be dug and
stored over winter. It is a good idea to start these bulbs indoors, in late March or early
April, so that they are somewhat established before you set them out in your garden. This
group of bulbs is exceptionally fine for use in containers. Here are four varieties to
start with:
Babinia stricta or Baboon flower - Native to South Africa, it grows 12"
tall. Its blooms are six-petalled stars in shades of blue, lavender, pink and white.
Foliage is upright and slightly hairy. Its name comes from the baboons that dig up the
corms for food.
Eucomis bicolor or Pineapple Lily - This bulb is also native to South Africa Grown
in a container, it always attracts attention. The flower spike is positioned above a
rosette of leaves and bears tiny blossoms that range in color from pink to greenish white.
When these have fully opened, they form the shape of a pineapple. Atop the flower spike is
a little tuft of green bracts, crowning this odd plant. Flowers last about two months in
the garden and can be used for cutting as well.
Gloriosa rothschiliana or Gloriosa Lily (pictured to the left ) - Our third
representative from Africa, this vine-like plant grows from an elongated tuber which is
ideally suited to a hanging basket or to a small house trellis. The leaves of the plant
end in tendrils, and these combine with the unusual red and yellow undulating petals to
render this plant a true exotic. Sunlight is essential for success and the plants are
somewhat slow to develop, so start them early for greatest impact.
Tigridia pavonia or Shell Flower - The blooms from this Mexican bulb last for
one day but are they worth it! They are large (5"-6" across) and bent outward,
and come in a range of colors: pinks, yellows, reds and white. The center of the blossoms
is adorned with darker irregular spots resembling the opalescence of shells.
So this spring when you are picking out your
favorite Dahlias and Glads remember to pick up something truly unusual for those
unexpected surprises during an August afternoon. |
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