Ornithogalum of another colour!

Paul Tyerman ptyerman@ozemail.com.au
Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:37:09 PDT
>
>         At least 3 South African species have brightly orange to
>yellow flowers ( O dubium, O maculatum and O. multifolium).
>
>         The wiki page
>(http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/…)
>shows some hybrids . but they seem to be all South African too.
>
>         Are there any hardy hybrid Ornithogalum ythat are any color
>other than same-old-white?

Jim,

I realise this is not what you'd call hardy, but the Ornithogalum 
dubium (yellow form) I have sail through -8 or -9'C without a 
problem.  I think that is hardier than people seem to think of 
them.  I've never lost one of frost so I would hazard that they'll 
take quite a bit colder than that as well?  Mine are out in the open 
in small pots, and unbothered by the cold at all.  I realise that 
isn't your type of hardy, but it is hardier than I have heard others 
talk about them at times.  I'm so so on the other Orniths, but 
wouldn't be without the yellow dubium.  The orange dubium on the 
other hand goes dormant and never reshoots again.  I've never had one 
of those come back for a second year (although the bulbs lasted for 
more than 6 years, still dormant).  The yellow form never skips, 
flowers for months, multiplies, sets seed happily etc.  If only I 
could find one of the orange ones that would do the same. LOL

Probably not much help to you given your extreme cold, but might be 
useful feedback for some other people who are thinking of trying them.

Cheers.

Paul Tyerman
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9

Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world 
including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias, 
Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about 
anything else that doesn't move!! 


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