Crocus laevigatus in wet/hot summer areas
Rodger Whitlock (Fri, 10 Dec 2004 12:51:58 PST)
On 10 Dec 04 at 3:00, Burger, Steve wrote:
Can anyone tell me about my chances of success with this plant here
in the hot and wet SE USA. I have placed it in my "dry" garden with
the best drainage I can provide it. It has already put out its
first bloom for me. I just want to see it again next year bigger
and better. I'm also considering planting much more of it in less
ideal locations.
Kevin Preuss suggested raised beds. In addition, you might want to
try putting glass over the planting during the summer. This would
keep the rain off and the extra heat trapped under the glass might
dry out the soil. NB: *might*.
Mind you, I'm only guessing! It may be that even with glass overhead,
the overall humidity is just too high for the bulbs to survive.
It's very difficult to grow plants under conditions radically
different from those they are native to. C. laevigatus does okay
here in Victoria because of our very dry summers, but I wouldn't say
it's a star performer. It still needs siting with care so it gets
adequate sun, esp. in winter.
At my previous house it managed not too badly just under the
dripline of a golden cedar with the lower limbs taken off. The
position was to the SW of the tree and got what winter sun we had.
--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate
on beautiful Vancouver Island