What's flowering this week

Rodger Whitlock totototo@telus.net
Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:09:31 PST
Sternbergia lutea.

I have three groups of sternbergia. The earliest to flower is probably cv. 
Angustifolia, narrow leaves with a white line down the middle; probably from 
Avon Bulbs long ago. These flower around the end of September. The second form 
to flower came from a local garden center, and flowers about a month later than 
the first.

The third, which I am almost certain I also bought from Avon Bulbs some 20 
years ago, is just coming into flower now. It is possible that their late 
flowering is not inherent, but due to being lifted and transplanted this fall.

Secret to growing sternbergia: they apparently need quite warm soil when 
dormant. Mine are all in a bed about 6' away from a white stucco, south-facing 
wall that reflects a lot of heat onto the bed in summer. And, it almost goes 
without saying, dry soil in summer, reasonable wintertime drainage.


-- 
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada



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