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How to select the most suitable bulbs for your garden.
This is a series to guide our South African customers on what are really good choices to start with if you are a novice gardener when it comes to bulbs or gardening in general, what not to plant unless you are a serious collector, how to incorporate bulbs into an established garden, when to buy and why bulbs are such a great gardening investment. We also include our favourite bulbs and why we love them so much and why we strongly recommend them, from the most common species to the rare.
After all these years in business, it still never ceases to amaze us, just how many people ask us ‘do you sell the bulb or the plant’? Folks, bulbs are plants. They are just either sold as dry bulbs ie usually if they are seasonal species that are dormant in winter or summer or they are sold in leaf for many evergreen species. As a mail order company, we do not sell potted or bagged up bulbs, so you receive loose or open ground bulbs either in a dormant state or in leaf. It seems that the confusion might stem from the general marketing of bulbs that come packaged just before they start growing. Many people also wrongly assume that all bulbs are annuals and that after they have flowered and go down, just throw them away. No, no no. We do not grow or sell any annual bulbs or bulbs that only flower once and never again and are thus ‘regarded as annuals’. Many of our bulbs can be left permanently in the ground (many in any case do not like to be disturbed or take longer to flower if constantly lifted) irrespective of whether they are seasonal or evergreen species. As long as your soil drains well and your bulb bed is not subjected to automatic irrigation particularly not a system that ‘rains down so heavily and so regularly’. If you live in the summer rainfall region, dainty winter rainfall bulbs, should be potted up and moved out of the summer rains. The same applies to purchasing expensive rarity that has a tendency to rot easily. Treat them like you would succulents.
Indigenous Bulbs for Novice Gardeners in Cape Gardens.
We receive so many requests from residents of the Western Cape (South Africa) for suggestions and guidance on what bulbs are suitable for their wintery wet and summer dry gardens. These folks are spoilt for choice from all those fabulous dainty wild irises to the striking winter growing members of the Amaryllid family plus the added advantage of being able to plant many summer growing/evergreen species too. The only no gos for general garden planting in Cape gardens are the ‘arid-loving and often temperamental’ summer growing, winter dormant species like Crinum crassicaule, Crinum buphanoides, Crinum graminicola, Boophone disticha (Transvaal form), Cyrtanthus spiralis, Apodolirion macowanii, certain Nerines, Urginea altissima, certain arums. These will unfortunately just rot if planted in the garden and subjected to heavy winter rains. They can of course be planted in pots and moved under cover during winter and must be kept totally dry including absolutely no chance of any moisture getting to the pots from underneath.
Our focus for this article is on mostly cost-effective, no hassle, free flowering Cape species as well as the summer growers that grow well despite the winter rains.
CAPE IRIDACEAE (wild irises) – the dainty showstoppers
One of the joys of the West Coast and Namaqualand in spring, is to experience the multitude of colourful open-faced carpets or slender stemmed dainty, wispy pockets of wild irises such as the Ixias, Moraeas, Sparaxis, Freesias (gloriously scented), Ferraria, Geissorhiza, Gladioli, Hesperantha, Onixotis, Romuleas, Tritonia, Babianas, Watsonia. They are fast growing, best left undisturbed and they will bring years of pleasure. Watsonias are the larger, more dramatic of the Iridaceae with tall leaves and tall flower stems, ideal for landscaping or planting in large swathes but there are a few species like vanderspuyiae, the giant, which is so impressive in size and display that it can be planted in just threes. All the dainty wild irises, should ideally be planted in small groups as they are completely lost if planted as single bulbs of a species and this applies to ‘wild gardens’ too. Groupings of 3 are ideal.
THE CHINCHERINCHEES – bountiful
From the most famous, White Star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum thyrsoides & the similar conicum to the dainty Ornithogalum dubium with its very pretty yellow or orange flowers, these are absolute must haves in any Cape garden. They also make great cutflowers as they are long flowering and can be interplanted in mixed borders, rockeries, wild gardens.
CAPE AMARYLLIDS – prized globally and a good investment too
We have to start with Amaryllis belladonna (the March Lily). A firm favourite in Cape gardens with its fabulous large pink flowers in late summer/early autumn. They grow super fast and flower very well in open ground as compared to containers. We have sourced seed in the USA of fabulous whites, different shades of pinks and some gorgeous reds, so in a few years we will offering a lot of these. Haemanthus coccineus and sanguineus are the kinds of bulbs that you plant in very special spots or rock pockets where they wont be overcrowded by groundcovers. Their red flowers in autumn are simply striking and they have beautiful leaves too. They together with Brunsvigias are ‘next level’ and add something special to the garden. They are slow growing and thus pricey for flowering size bulbs but worth every cent. They tend to be regarded more as collector’s plants but these two species of winter growing Haemanthus together with the more readily available Brunsvigias, gregaria & bosmaniae are an asset to the garden. The Strumaria family has predominantly been grown for the international collector’s market but some Strumarias like truncata and discifera are readily available and they are just so dainty and pretty, also best grown in pots or rock pockets.
LACHENALIAS – divine small bulbs for containers or rockeries
They are one of the most popular winter growers for containers. They can of course be planted in Cape flower beds particularly if the soil is sandy enough but we regard them as perfect seasonal pot subjects. Their very pretty flowers are quite long lasting, they prefer a sunny spot but will tolerate a semi-shaded patio or courtyard table very well. Very fast growing but protect from severe cold.
OXALIS – carpets of colour and interesting leaves
There can simply be, no winter bulb flower carpet, more showy, striking, gorgeous & free flowering than Oxalis. Anytime from Autumn to Spring, these little beauties provide masses of colour. They are also tough and the longer they are in one spot, undisturbed, the more beautiful they are the following year. They do require full sun and reasonable watering in winter. They must be group or mass planted. The bulbs are small and the more you plant, the greater the spectacle of colour awaits. They are also perfect in pots or hanging baskets and can be planted in mixed beds, rockeries, embankments.
GOOD SUMMER GROWERS/EVERGREEN SPECIES FOR THE CAPE
There are many that can be planted directly into the garden in the winter rainfall including: Ammocharis coranica, Crinum bulbispermum, Crinum macowanii, Crinum moorei, Veltheimia bracteata, Watsonias, Tulbaghia violacea, Tulbaghia simmleri, Dieramas, Cyrtanthus Mackenii, Cyrtanthus breviflorus, Haemanthus albiflos, Nerine angustifolia, Nerine filifolia, Nerine masoniorum, Albuca nelsonii. During the hot dry summer months, you will need to water many of these, very very well at least once every 2 weeks and as long as the soil is well drained, they will have no problems with winter rainfall.
Indigenous Evergreen & Summer growing Starter Packs for Novice Gardeners & / or New Gardens
You have decided that you would love to have some bulbs in your new or established garden but you have no idea where to start, what to buy, how many, how to approach this etc. Generally speaking, the most important requirement for growing bulbs is well drained, loam soil. There are some that can grow in water, very wet areas, seasonally moist areas. If you plant in pots, use a very well drained potting mix together with river sand and apply a slow release fertiliser once a month during active growth. In beds apply fertilizer once every 2 months in the growing season. Then you need to decide where you want to plant bulbs ie full sun, shade, dappled shade and are you wanting to plant up a large bed just with bulbs or do you want to incorporate them into an existing bed/s? Remember to always plant, species with the same water requirements together ie do not plant waterwise plants in a bed together with water-loving plants. Even though there are many species and cultivars that produce very large or even huge sized bulbs where one can plant just one in a specific spot, most bulbs do require at least some form of group planting whether that be in 3’s or 5’s or in the case of species that produce small bulbs, you need to plant at least 20. Our selection below is such that they should stand the test of any garden staff who cannot possibly confuse these with weeds. You just need to teach your gardeners that when the bulbs go dormant ie only when the leaves have completely withered, they must be cut off and that the bulbs are not dead now and must not be dug out. An absolute pet peeve of ours, are garden staff and their garden forks, constantly turning the soil. In a bulb bed, this must not be done often and when it is done, a very gentle approach is required with minimum disturbance to the bulbs and roots.
Tulbaghia simmleri (sweet garlic). One of our absolute favourites. Unlike their smaller cousin violacea, simmleri is a robust species with taller & larger flowers and taller, broader pale grey green leaves. Fast growing, forming clumps, leaves are attractive, flowers are sweetly scented and showy and there are 3 colours namely the more readily available lilac and then pink and white. They are waterwise and grow in semi or dappled shade. They can be a backdrop to a carpet of succulents or even to Tulbaghia violacea. They can be planted in swathes of one colour or swathes featuring 2 or all 3 flower colours. One simply cannot go wrong with simmleri as it is long flowering and a good cutflower too. They occur in the Soutpansberg so the leaves will be burnt by frost but the flowers seem very resilient. Ours are flowering now amidst one of the coldest winters we can remember! 5 or 10 bulbs would be a good start.
Tulbaghia violacea (wild garlic). Most people are familiar with the aromatic wild garlic with its narrow grey leaves and small lilac flowers. They are widely used in landscaping projects, in municipal gardens and sidewalks/islands and can be seen on verges, rockeries and embankments. They grow super fast and form large clumps, binding the soil so really good at keeping weeds out. Hardy, full sun and waterwise. They must be mass planted for optimum effect and if you are on a tight budget, they are very inexpensive (even if you buy bagged up plants, there should be many bulbs in a bag and so one bag goes a long way) and they are just so versatile. Flowering for months. They can be planted extensively as a groundcover or filler. There is also a white flowering form and one with variegated leaves.
Albuca nelsonii (candelabrum lily or Nelson’s slime lily). Another favourite. From long tapering pale green leaves (which can be burnt by severe frost but new leaves sprout again in no time as soon as the weather warms up), to tall stems bearing showy white flowers with green stripes in summer, this is a very large evergreen bulb protruding above the soil that brings a touch of the dramatic onto a rockery, mixed border, verge planting. Full sun to slight shade & very waterwise. Great cutflower too & they form clumps. Due to their super toughness, they can be incorporated into succulent gardens and do very well on rockeries where Drimia elata, Urginea altissima (now Drimia altissima) and Ledebourias all feature. You can start with a few smaller bulbs or 3 large ones.
Drimiopsis maculata (leopard plant). My husband & I are constantly at loggerheads over this ‘common dwarf’. He reckons it is ‘all over the place & not in demand’. I disagree. It is one of the most under-utilised indigenous bulbs in landscaping & new gardens. Where else could one find such a striking groundcover with its beautifully spotted or heavily blotched leaves and aloe-like creamy flowers for such low prices? The bulbs multiply super fast so they will cover a shady area under trees or the pockets in a shady rockery in no time. Bulbs with beautifully spotted leaves are usually rare and expensive, here you have a very affordable gorgeous groundcover and they fill out very well, that can stay evergreen in mild winters and will put on their best display in a well maintained garden. Due to their small size, you need to buy a few bags of them or 50 to 100 bulbs depending on the size of the area you want to cover.
Scadoxus puniceus (blood or snake lily). For true drama in the shade, look no further than the absolute must have blood lilies. With these, you can start with 3 or 5 and in late winter to early spring, the absolutely striking orange to red large cup-shaped flowers will wow you and you never tire of Scadoxus. They are winter dormant and the thick spotted tall flower stems start emerging in late winter followed by the stems with glossy wavy tall leaves. They should be informally grouped for the best effect and interplanted with smaller, low growing bulbs or dainty carpet forming groundcovers.
Crocosmias (falling stars or montbretia). Another versatile indigenous bulb for mixed borders or waterside planting. Tallish sword-like narrow leaves and tall stems of orange (or yellow or red) flowers in summer. They too multiply fast and form large clumps for sunny or slight shady spots. Crocosmias have a gentle appearance, swaying in the wind and make a lovely feature next to a pond together with Dieramas. One should plant at least 10 or 20 corms.
Haemanthus albiflos (rabbit’s ears). An evergreen shade-loving bulb with long broadish very attractive leaves. Flowers are white almost cup-shaped on a long stem, autumn to winter. Very waterwise & the bulbs often protrude to a degree above the ground. Best planted in groups, even small groups in shady rock pockets or at the base of trees. At least 3 or 5 to start with.
Crinums: bulbispermum (orange river lily), macowanii (sabie river lily) and moorei (moore’s crinum). These are the 3 most cost-effective and easiest crinums to grow. Moorei prefers a more shady moist spot, produces tall stems bearing large pale pink flowers (there is also n uncommon sought after white form) and is a feature bulb which does multiply by offshoots. Evergreen and protect from severe frost. Bulbispermum is dramatic with large arching grey green leaves and tall stems bearing large white flowers with pinkish stripes in early summer (there is also a more uncommon magnificent deeper pink form). Macowanii is similar but with green leaves and large white very showy flowers in summer. Both are very hardy and winter dormant. They are waterwise but will thrive in seasonally moist areas. Both are feature bulbs ideal for waterside planting or in mixed borders or containers. On a budget, depending where you want to plant them, one of each to start. Their flowers are always a talking point and so the more the merrier!
Eucomis (pineapple lilies). There are numerous species and stunning new cultivars ranging from giants to dwarf species. These too need to be grouped and in order to achieve maximum effect, planting 3 separate groupings of 3 different species or 3 different cultivars can change any garden bed from drab to very fab! Example: x3 Burgundy Star, x3 Autumnalis or the giant pallidiflora subsp. pole-evansii, x3 Morning Star. From these 3 groupings you have dark burgundy infused cream flowers (and dark leaves); creamy white green flowers on tall stems & then creamy yellow flowers. The dwarf species are better suited to containers or rock pockets or small focal spots in the garden. Pineapple lilies are very tough bulbs able to withstand droughts, torrential rain, sub-zero temperatures and neglect.
Zantedeschia aethiopica (white arum lilies). Even though there are numerous other arum species, aethiopica white remains the most cost effective to have in your garden and you will have cutflowers too. They grow fast and multiply well and a large clump around a waterfeature or as a backdrop in a cool shady mixed border is always impressive from the large leaves to the enduring white flowers. Green Goddess is another beauty with its green and white flowers and it is also one of the fastest growing arums. This is the next step up from aethiopica white and both the white and green goddess can grow in full sun or shade. You can start with 3 or 5 white arums.
Exotic Rain Lilies: Ideal for local gardens.
Why do we love rain lilies so much and why are they such a versatile addition to just about any garden design? We had a customer once whose gardening motto was ‘cheap and cheerful’. Well cheerful, rain lilies most certainly are, they produce ‘the prettiest of flowers in abundance’. Most are inexpensive other than the new cultivars. We have always been very weary of the word ‘cheap’ which has the same negative connotation as ‘cosy’ and ‘tasty’ both of which conjure up negative images of past experiences with accommodation and dining! Rain Lilies are fun perennial bulbs which brings years of gardening pleasure. They are easy to grow, forming clumps quite fast and are no fuss bulbs. They can grow in almost any soil type. Their smallish narrow leaves can be a problem if you have a gardener who just pulls everything out that might resemble grass or a weed so these are the kinds of bulbs best left to a discerning gardener to maintain. Certain species do go dormant in winter but that also depends on how mild your winters are. Their flower colours range from pastels to new vivid reds, pinks, bronze, striking bi-coloured flowers & striped petals usually in spring and summer but candida flowers into autumn too. They do need reasonably moist conditions in summer and good drenchings of rain induce flowering. Very sunny spots are important if you want lots of flowers. In South Africa, they can grow in both summer and winter rainfall areas. Their natural habitat is tropical to sub-tropical regions of the Americas. Plant them in pockets or mass plant for the most dazzling effect. They are best suited to planting in the front of beds/as edging or in containers.