Hardy Bulbs
J.E. Shields (Sun, 16 Jul 2006 13:24:08 PDT)

Hi all,

The Crinum variabile are in bloom now. This is earlier than usual for
them. Note that these are growing in the ground year-round here. These
are in a raised bed of highly improved topsoil, about 15 feet from the
south end of the big greenhouse. I have never been able to get these to
bloom in containers. Since they seem perfectly hardy in the ground, it is
very convenient to grow them that way, and the bloom like crazy in July or
August.

Various Crinum grow around the east and south sides of one of the older and
smaller greenhouses. About to bloom again is Crinum 'Catherine', while a
couple of pink 'J.C. Harvey'-like hybrids have been blooming for
weeks. The various C. bulbispermum seem to have bloomed out after only 2
or 3 scapes apiece. All these are also in the ground.

Growing right up against the east wall of this same greenhouse, a bunch of
Zantedeschia 'Black Pearl' are in bloom now. Just in front of 'Black
Pearl' is another hardy Gladiolus, probably volunteers of G. imbricatus
from a dumped seed pot. I just collected a few seeds from this glad.

Galtonia candicans is in bloom now too. Galtonia candicans is also hardy
in the ground here, in selected beds. They don't like low-lying beds or
clay soil! They are doing great in a raised bed made of composted leaves,
topsoil, and coarse brown sand.

Gladiolus oppositiflorus salmoneus is also hardy here in spots. They have
not bloomed yet this summere. They are growing in the same bed as the
Crinum variabile. Planted among the Galtonia, all the glads
disappeared. I suspect that was due to mice more than to weather.

Regards,
Jim Shields
in very hot central Indiana (USA)

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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