Crinum — commonly called milk-and-wine lilies–are tender perennials grown for their showy umbels of usually funnel or bell-shaped white flowers that resemble lilies. The fragrant flowers rise in spring or summer from clumps of long, strap-shaped leaves. Some Crinum species have flowers with very narrow tepals that create a spidery effect; they are sometimes called spider lilies. […] More
Arum –often called lords-and-ladies–is a tuberous, deciduous perennial which blooms in summer. The exotic-looking “flowers” resemble calla lilies (Zantedeschia). The inflorescence is actually many tiny flowers clustered on a central stalk called a spadix. The spadix is surrounded by a modified leaf called a spathe. Showy spikes of red or orange berries follow the flowers […] More
Sparaxis is grown for its showy, brightly colored, funnel-shaped flowers carried in loose spikes in spring and summer. Flowers come in yellow, pink, purple, red, and white usually blotched and splashed with contrasting colors. Sparaxis is sometimes called harlequin flower or wandlfower. Individual flowers have six petal-like tepals that are joined at the base to […] More
Zephyrantes is grown for its upward-facing tubular flowers. Blossoms mostly resemble small lilies though some are rounded and resemble crocuses. Flowers appear in spring in shades of pink, red, yellow, or white. Some species bloom until fall. Individual Zephyrantes flowers rise on slender, hollow stems, each bearing a single blossom. Flowers appear above clumps of […] More
Watsonia is grown for its fragrant, showy flowers that appear on long spikes. The individual trumpet-like flowers are nearly symmetrical tubes. Flowers are pink, red, or lavender. Watsonia resembles Gladiolus, however, it grows taller, its flower spikes are slimmer, and its sword-shaped leaves are less rigid. Watsonia’s individual flowers are tubular and curbed at the […] More
Ornithogalum is commonly known as Star-of-Bethlehem for its clusters of typically star-shaped flowers. Ornithogalum species are hardy and tender bulbs that bloom from late winter to late spring depending on the species. Ornithogalum grows from bulbs and bears basal leaves that range from narrow and linear to rounded and tend to droop. The starry blooms […] More
Leucojum, commonly known as snowflakes, are spring, summer, or fall-blooming bulbs grown for their dainty, nodding, bell-shaped flowers. There are about 10 species in the genus. There is one species each for spring (Leucojum vernum) , summer (L. aestivum) , and fall (L. autumnale). Leucojum bear basal, strap-shaped to linear leaves. The flowers are borne […] More
Ixia species is commonly grown for its showy clusters of star-shaped flowers borne on thin, wiry stems. Ixia flowers from spring to summer and comes in a range of bright colors– orange, pink, red, white, and yellow with contrasting centers. Ixia species is commonly called ixias, corn lilies, and wand flowers. Individual blooms have six […] More
Amaryllis belladonna is commonly known as Belladonna lily or naked lady. Amaryllis belladonna is the sole member of the Amaryllis genus. Other lilies commonly called florist’s amaryllis are sold for winter forcing are members of the genus Hippeastrum. Beladonna lily is grown for its showy, funnel-shaped blooms that appear in late summer and fall. The […] More
Bulbs are among the easiest and most rewarding of all garden plants. Spring, summer, and autumn flowering bulbs can bring sensational color to the garden. Most flowering bulbs are perennials. Planted once, most will bloom for several years, and many naturalize, meaning they produce offspring that will carry on for many additional years to come. […] More
Deer-resistant plants are plants deer tend to not eat. If deer are hungry enough they will eat practically any kind of plant. This list includes annuals, perennials, and bulbs that deer have turned away from in many gardens; there is no guarantee they will not eat them in your garden. As a general rule, deer […] More
Seasonally, bulbs are usually divided into two main groups–the first being generally termed “fall bulbs” which means those that are dormant and should be planted in late summer and fall; and the second being called “spring bulbs,” meaning those that are dormant over the winter and must be planted in early spring. Fall bulbs include […] More
Stephen Albert