Spring bulb varieties specifically for the sunny South
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Vicki on Aug 08, 2013really, I do have them coming back every year. I live metro Atlanta area. I do not remmy where I get those. I have those many years to enjoy every year here.Helpful Reply
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Phillip Williams on Aug 09, 2013Vicki, there are a goodly number of bulbs which have become adapted to the heat and humidity of the South and they do very well, but they are hard to find unless you find some locally. The vast majority of tulips, hyacinth, daffodils, crocus, etc. cannot stand the heat and fail rebuild the bulb for the following year and so they fail after just a couple of seasons.Helpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on Aug 09, 2013Philip, have you tried the Southern Bulb Company (http://www.southernbulbs.com/)? It was founded by "bulb hunter" Chris Wiesinger , who has made a cause of finding heirloom Southern bulbs.Helpful Reply
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Phillip Williams on Aug 09, 2013Thanks Douglas, I'll check that out.Helpful Reply
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Margherite Williams on Aug 09, 2013My favorite supplier (I live in Lower Alabama) is Northern, but they accurately label their bulbs' growing zones. I'll try anything of theirs labeled 8b or higher, and have done well with 8a bulbs planted in light shade. They also label field origin; and those grown in Louisiana, Texas, or Alabama seem to thrive in our humidity, much better than California-grown bulbs. http://www.oldhousegardens.com/Helpful Reply
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Peg on Aug 09, 2013Phillip, what type of lovely lily is this?Helpful Reply
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Phillip Williams on Aug 09, 2013Hi Peg, this is a Lycoris radiata, aka Surprise Lily, Spider Lily or in some places Naked Ladies. They bloom in the Fall after all the foliage is gone, hence the last common name. They originated in China and came to the US after the 1850's. They are not nearly as common as they were decades ago. I find them to be a "set and forget" type of plant although you probably need to thin them out every 3-5 years to insure continued blooming. There are other species / varieties that are yellow, pink and mixtures.Helpful Reply
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Phillip Williams on Aug 09, 2013Thanks a million, Margherite! Do you have any personal recommendations for DaffodilsHelpful Reply
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Phillip Williams on Aug 11, 2013I'll give them a try. Thanks!Helpful Reply
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Phillip Williams on Aug 11, 2013Marlene, based on their frequency in catalogs and the websites of plant dealers, I would say that they are very uncommon. Until a few years ago, I had never seen them except occasionally in old run down urban neighborhoods. Popularity comes and goes over time... The Crinum Lily is another great example. Crinum lilies were as common as grass 50 years ago, but few today know what they are. Like most bulbs Lycoris make great additions to a bed where you need a little color at a specific time. They do have nice foliage and once they bloom, they disappear completely until the foliage appears again in the Spring. I am trying to find a reasonably priced source for the yellow Lycoris aureus and have found only one or two places that even have them...Helpful Reply
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Phillip Williams on Jul 31, 2014Speaking of such things; I just got back from a two hour "tour" through a very blighted and decayed urban neighborhood looking for plants.Old overgrown lots abound. The area was originally developed in the 1850's so there are a number of very old plants to be found if one has the temerity to try. I uncovered 4 very large crinum lilies covered by vines and debris. They have been liberated and placed in a sunny raised bed in my back yard. Can't wait to see what the blooms look like.Helpful Reply
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