Dear PBS ers,

This has been a wet spring and we are catching up from drought,
but now 'in between' bulb events.

The first Lily opened - a hybrid without much distinction, but a
signal for the Lily season to come.

Crinum bulbispermum always the first Crinum to bloom in the ground
is open in a number of spots and always welcome. I just don't know why this
is not seen in more Kansas City Gardens. It has everything - hardy,
beautiful, colorful flowers, very dramatic and a real show stopper. It may
be too big for city gardens, but it is a wow plant. Most are red to pink
striped, but a few paler and a few darker. It too is the first in a series
of hardy Crinum to make a show in coming weeks.

The only oddity is the relatively common, but not very often seen
Ixiolirion tataricum. This blue beauty blooms in an out of the way spot
where I have to search for it. The clump has been there a decade and has
dozen of flowers, but thrives on neglect. A couple of years ago I planted a
Helicodiceros nearby and that draws me to check on seed development so I
happened across the blooms.

Finally the last of the Dracunculus vulgaris has finished with an
enormous and stinky bloom almost 4 ft tall. Gloriously obnoxious. It took a
while to establish this in the garden, but now 5 clumps put on a show and
smell that bounces across the acre of garden.

But speaking of 2 Aroids, less spectacular and to some a horrible
pest, we have dozens of Pinellia pedatisecta in quiet bloom. The green
spathes pop up above the segmented foliage and are very pleasant and
extremely care free. I know it can be an aggressive weed in some climates
and gardens, but here it is a welcome addition.

We are anticipating Crocosmia season with the addition last year
and this of a number of new named cvs.

Even at a slow season there's always some bulbous beauty to enjoy.
Best Jim W.

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