Lycoris update
J.E. Shields (Mon, 25 Aug 2003 13:17:55 PDT)

Hi all,

We expect Lycoris like squamigera, chinensis, longituba, and sprengeri to
be hardy here in central Indiana. They are, and many are in bloom now.

Also coming up in flower are a few hybrids. For instance, [chinensis x
haywardii] is in bloom in one spot. In another, the first scape of the
Chinese variety 'Sky Over Sky' is up. The hybrid [sprengeri x chinensis]
is starting to bloom, too. Lycoris caldwellii is up and about to open in
one spot. L. caldwellii in several other places here are not showing any
signs of blooming. All these bulbs came from China through the hard work
of Jim Waddick.

Not Lycoris, but hardy, is Gladiolus x-gandavensis. I thought we had lost
them all over the past wet and cold winter, but they are up. We did lose a
lot of them, so I think I will lift and divide the survivors this
Fall. Gladiolus oppositiflorus salmoneus left out in a nursery bed over
last winter are also blooming. The G. o. salmoneus planted everywhere else
outdoors failed to survive the winter. Which goes to show, you have to try
things in lots of different places in your garden!

Best regards to all,

Jim Shields

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Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
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Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA
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