Ornithogalum of another colour!
Paul Tyerman (Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:37:09 PDT)
At least 3 South African species have brightly orange to
yellow flowers ( O dubium, O maculatum and O. multifolium).
The wiki page
(http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/…)
shows some hybrids . but they seem to be all South African too.
Are there any hardy hybrid Ornithogalum ythat are any color
other than same-old-white?
Jim,
I realise this is not what you'd call hardy, but the Ornithogalum
dubium (yellow form) I have sail through -8 or -9'C without a
problem. I think that is hardier than people seem to think of
them. I've never lost one of frost so I would hazard that they'll
take quite a bit colder than that as well? Mine are out in the open
in small pots, and unbothered by the cold at all. I realise that
isn't your type of hardy, but it is hardier than I have heard others
talk about them at times. I'm so so on the other Orniths, but
wouldn't be without the yellow dubium. The orange dubium on the
other hand goes dormant and never reshoots again. I've never had one
of those come back for a second year (although the bulbs lasted for
more than 6 years, still dormant). The yellow form never skips,
flowers for months, multiplies, sets seed happily etc. If only I
could find one of the orange ones that would do the same. LOL
Probably not much help to you given your extreme cold, but might be
useful feedback for some other people who are thinking of trying them.
Cheers.
Paul Tyerman
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9
Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world
including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias,
Galanthus, Irises, Trilliums (to name but a few) and just about
anything else that doesn't move!!