Bulbs are remarkably beautiful flowers and they are remarkably beautiful cut flowers. Bulbs flower in a wide range of colors, forms, and sizes. They can be grown indoors as well as out, and they are relatively easy to grow. As cut flowers they certainly rival annuals and perennials. Botanically speaking a bulb is an encased […] More
Veltheimia is a tender, bulbous perennial that bears clusters of pendent, tubular flowers carried on erect stalks above basal rosettes of wavy eaves. Veltheimia’s flowers resemble those red-hot pokers (Kniphofia spp.). Each small flower has six small lobes at the top. Veltheimia is native to South Africa. It is well adapted to the sun and […] More
Calochortus–commonly called fairy lantern or Mariposa lily–is a genus of bulbous perennials from western North America that bears tulip-like flowers in lilac, purple, rose, red, yellow, or white–all with distinctive “eyes” that resemble markings on butterfly wings. Calochortus have a distinctive nectary near the base of each petal. There are several species of Calochortus that […] More
Plants known by the name “daffodil,” “narcissus,” and “jonquil” are properly Narcissus; they belong to the botanical genera Narcissus. Gardeners refer to large-flowered Narcissus as daffodils, small-flowered early-blooming Narcissus as narcissus, and Narcissus that blossom in clusters as jonquil. All Narcissus have the same basic flower structure. Each bloom has a perianth (six outer petal-like […] More
Nerine is an autumn-flowering bulb that bears showy funnel-shaped flowers that bloom in clusters. Nerine is dormant in summer; flowers appear in autumn before leaves appear. Flowers are produced in umbels of 2 to more than 20 blooms at the top of fleshy, leafless stems. Nerine flowers resemble loose, lily-like trumpets or are spidery in […] More
Haemanthus–commonly called blood lily–is a perennial bulb that produces globe-shaped clusters of flowers that bloom at the top of a leafless stem. Some flower umbels have as any as 100 very small but long tubular flowers, usually blood red colored–thus the common name. Haemanthus flowers are borne above basal strap-shaped leaves that reach 12 to […] More
Bellevalia–sometimes called hyacinth or hyacinthus–is spring-bloomig member of the lily family that bears flowers that closely resemble grape hyacinths (Muscari) and hyacinths (Hyacinthus). Bellevalia grows from tunicate bulbs and have long, strap-shaped, green to gray-green leaves that are basal and can extend from 1 to 1 ½ feet in length. The small bell-shaped flowers have six […] More
Hedychium–commonly called ginger lily–is a tropical bulbous perennial that bears showy, fragrant and tubular clusters and spikes white, yellow, or orange-red flowers in spring and summer. Hedychium flowers are tubular and almost trumpet shape with two lips and large bracts, borne in spike-like racemes. The flowers appear on reed-like stems above lance-shaped leaves. Some species […] More
Some bulbs—and corms and tubers—are among the earliest flowers of the year. Snowdrops are the first flowers of the year. They are followed by Dutch crocuses and then large narcissus (daffodils). Hyacinths and Muscari and early tulips follow. Spring bulbs can be divided into early spring, mid-spring, and late spring bloom times. Plantings of each […] More
To attract hummingbirds to your garden provide a habitat that will give them food, water, shade, and shelter. Plant flowering shrubs, trees, perennials, annuals, and vines on which they can perch and nest, and from which they can get the nectar they need to thrive. Hummingbirds rely on bright colors to find their food. Choose […] More
Triteleia is a spring-blooming cormous perennial grown for its umbels of funnel-shaped flowers that appear above leafless stems. The semi-erect, narrowly linear leaves usually die away by the time the plant flowers. Triteleia’s common name is Triteleias. Triteleia is a good choice for planting in a warm, sunny spring border or bed. In cold-winter regions […] More
Sprekelia — commonly called Aztec lily–bears dark crimson flowers resembling orchids above foliage that look like that of the daffodil. Spreklia blooms 6 to 8 weeks after planting. In mild climates, it may flower several time a year. Plant Sprekelia in a sunny border. It is most effective when planted in groups. Sprekelia is also an attractive […] More
Stephen Albert