Spring bulb varieties specifically for the sunny South
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There are a large number of bulb dealers selling beautiful bulbs, but gardeners in the South have learned that most of these will not survive and bloom more than a year or two. Does anyone know of a dealer selling bulb varieties specifically suited to our hot humid climate? Thanks!
11 answers
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really, 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.
Vicki
on Aug 08, 2013
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Vicki, 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.
Phillip Williams
on Aug 09, 2013
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Philip, 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.
Douglas Hunt
on Aug 09, 2013
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Thanks Douglas, I'll check that out.
Phillip Williams
on Aug 09, 2013
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My 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/
Margherite Williams
on Aug 09, 2013
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Phillip, what type of lovely lily is this?
Peg
on Aug 09, 2013
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Hi 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.
Phillip Williams
on Aug 09, 2013
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Thanks a million, Margherite! Do you have any personal recommendations for Daffodils
Phillip Williams
on Aug 09, 2013
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I'll give them a try. Thanks!
Phillip Williams
on Aug 11, 2013
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Marlene, 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...
Phillip Williams
on Aug 11, 2013
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Speaking 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.
Phillip Williams
on Jul 31, 2014
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