Hardy Bulbs. Was: [pbs] Grass Aloes

Hardy Bulbs. Was: [pbs] Grass Aloes
J.E. Shields (Sat, 27 Nov 2004 05:36:20 PST)

Sheri and all,

Micro-environment seems to make a huge difference with marginally hardy
bulbs. I mulch my Crinum bulbs that overwinter outdoors in the
ground. Gladiolus survive in one spot but not in another. In a row of
bulbs of a single clone of Nerine bowdenii, 2/3 die and the rest hang
on. It is a bit mysterious.

I am trying to get some of my Crinums tested in other gardens besides mine
around here. I should have a better idea of their hardiness as time goes on.

Jim Shields

At 08:11 AM 11/27/2004 -0500, you wrote:

Jim and all -

I second the vote on the hardy aloes! I have not trialed any of them yet. I
was able to move in August to an acre and a half of land with a house and a
huge barn that I am going to turn into a botanical garden.

I did try a Crinium lily and set it up in a raised bed right against the
foundation of my greenhouse last winter and it did not make it.

I am very interested in learning about some of the different plants and
bulbs that have been trialed in zone 5 and successfully over wintered.

Sheri

*************************************************
Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/
Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA
Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA