Carefree garden bulbs in Kansas City

1. They grow in the ground all year round (not dug to dry in
summer, or protected in winter nor pampered in frames or under
protection). Just out there in the ground.

2. They bloom reliably in the garden.

and I'd add, 3. They make an impact in the landscape.

Given these three criteria and with a few minor concessions
here's my list, but by genus and this does not include all species,
but I'll mention a few.

1. Anemone - The stars here are Anemone blanda both the
typical blue 'windflowers' and the selection 'White Splendor'.
Hundreds sparkle across the garden. Slightly later A nemorosa and the
close relative A. ranunculoides make a smaller statement in the shady
areas of the garden. For their color and early bloom, I would not
only not be without any of them, I'd always want to plant a few more.

2. Narcissus - I suppose we have a limited selection since
we can't grow the paper whites, bulbocodium and many species, but
some named cvs are vigorous and reliable such as 'Ceylon', 'Quail', '
Pipit', 'Ice Follies','Dutch Master' and other various large and
small cup varieties in yellow , white and with pink cups. The
favorite miniature is 'Baby Moon' and for sheer number of flowers
'Geranium''. Among species N. obvallaris, the Tenby Daffodil, is
great too and self sows without being too pushy.

3. Crocus,but a limited range since the squirrels love to dig
and eat them. C. tomassinianus in all forms esp. the easy 'Ruby
Giant' and C. sieberi with emphasis on 'Firefly'. Only C. speciosum
gives a fair show in fall, but I love. C. banaticus and Sativus in
their season. I grow others, but these are the most carefree.

4. Galanthus - Most do not do well here and I would not
include this at all if were not for a single unknown cultivar I got
from Don Hacknberry's Appalachian Gardens years ago as "Mighty Atom -
NOT' (MAN).This is a winner and has been divided and spread around
where it performs exceptionally each spring. In fall G. reginae-olgae
does very well. Neither G. nivalis, G. elwesii, woronowii and others
do much. The only named cv to hold up to MAN is 'S. Arnott'.

5. Tulipa- again very restricted due to predation. Our
favorites are probably odd - T. sylvestris which is almost weedy in
its spread underground, and a large clump of T. hageri (?) 'Little
Beauty' . T. turkestanica is also reliable. This year T. clusiana
'Lady Jane' has been exceptional. And I just wish we had more T.
sprengeri.

6. Arum - Of course A. italicum is a basic work horse, but
other surprises such as A. byzantinum, 'Chameleon', A. hygrophyilum.
A rupicola and the exotic A nigrum are best. A few others add
variety. A close second is Dracunculus vulgaris which doesn't always
bloom every year (Thankfully) due to late frost damage of the flower,
but the foliage is always impressive and attracts attention. Other
foliage Aroids extend this look.

7. Iris and especially easy Junos such as I. magnifica, I
willmottiana, I aucheri, I graeberiana. These are very appropriate
for the category. A few more are less reliable bloomers, but receive
no special care. They are in a raised bed, built into a hillside, but
filled with mostly native soil and extra gravel. No special annual
care or protection. They do not get borers which destroy most bearded
iris eventually.

The above are all spring bulbs. Galanthus reginae -olgae
blooms in the fall and some Arum show their foliage in fall, but we
have a shortage of carefree bulbs for later in the season. The choice
in chronological order is:

Late spring to summer: (8) Lilium. from species such as L.
michiganense and L. formosanum to cvs such as Asiatics, Orientals,
Trumpets and Orienpets. We have a few favorites such as 'Gran
Paradiso' (Asiatic), 'Leslie Woodruff' and 'Silk Road' (Orienpets)
just off hand.

9.Crinum; Although we grow a few more, the most carefree are
C. bulbispermum in a range of colors from near white to near red and
many pink shades. It has all the best characteristics. C. powellii is
perhaps the most abundant crinum, but the flowers do not open as well
as others, even C. powellii 'Album' is an improvement. These do get
leaves loosely piled over them in fall, when we remember. The new
'Super Ellen' has proven a winner and we anticpate a bigger impact as
it grows.

Fall: 10, Lycoris - last of the season to bloom and totally
care free. The best performers are L. squamigera, chinensis,
longituba, caldwellii, and slightly lesser sprengeri and incarnata.
These bloom abundantly and in a range of colors from pink to white
and yellow as well as size of flowers and season of bloom. Now, in
spring, they form great tufts of succulent foliage some knee high
and higher. Architecturally impressive and richly colored.

There's any number of smaller bulbs that I love. Eranthis,
the winter aconite plays a special role for its early bloom and for
foliage hundreds of Polygonatum odoratum variegatum have a big show
in the shade garden. Minor bulbs from the tiny Scilla bifolia to the
larger Fritillaria persica each make a garden event at bloom, but
don't have landscape impact for long enough.

I am certainly impressed by Boyce's mention of Merendera
trigyna (where can I get some to try here? ) and I bemoan the loss of
Foxtail lilies here from last year's killer freeze. A planting
opportunity for sure !.

Hope this gives an impression of the bulb parade in the
center of the US. Best Jim W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +