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Bulbs, Tubers, and Roots
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Mediterranean Bulbs
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You've probably planted bulbs before, enticed by glowing pages of
beautiful flowers in garden catalogs, with only limited success.
Sadly, many of the bulbs in catalogs aren't really suited to our
climate. Tulips, hyacinths and crocus are good examples of bulbs
that are really out of their habitat in Southern California.
Most garden catalogs and books are geared to the temperate climate
that comprises the vast majority of the United States. We Southern
Californians are blessed with a climate that is quite different.
Our Mediterranean climate is a geographic rarity. Only Western
Australia, Chile, South Africa and the Mediterranean basin share
this special climate. Small in terms of size, but spectacular in
flora, from this climate zone come some of the planet's most unique
and beautiful plants.
Perhaps the Mediterranean Zone's grandest bloomers are the geophytes
(Bulb, corms, tubers, and rhizomes). Most of us just collectively
call them bulbs. Mediterranean bulbs can be all-star performers in
southern California gardens. Mediterranean Bulbs are generally
winter growers that are dormant by late summer. January and
February are perfect planting months for many of them, as in nature
they would just be awaking from dormancy with the onset of the rainy
season.
Some of our favorite Mediterranean and warm climate bulbs include:
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Babiana - |
Called the Baboon Flower, as the bulb is sometimes eaten by these
apes, although, not generally in Newport Beach. These plants come
in a wide range of blue to pink shades on 12" stalks.
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Chasmanthe - |
One of the first bulbs to boom. In shades of orange or yellow
emerge 20" stalks of cobra like blooms. A great naturalizer.
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Crocosmia - |
Like the flame job on a '57 chevy. The fiery blooms of Crocosmia
leap 3' from crisp strap-like green foliage.
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Freesia - |
One of my favorites for olfactory reasons alone. They have a delicious fruity fragrance.
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Gladiolus - |
There are a vast array of colors hybridized from the many South
African native species. They naturalize well and make great cut
flowers.
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Hymenocallis - |
Sometimes called Peruvian Daffodills, the are much more exotic
in appearance with their long frilled petals than true daffodills.
They are also better suited to our warm environment. The bloom in
shades of white to soft yellow to a height of 2-3' Naturalizes
very well.
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Ixia - |
Picture colorful fairy wands dancing in the breeze. They grow to
18" tall and come in a wide range of warm tones.
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Nerine - |
If you could imagine a deep pink agapanthus you'd be close.
These charming girls can grow to a height of two feet. Commonly
called Rain Lily, the flowers appear near the onset of the rainy
season.
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Ranunculus - |
Kind of like Peonies, kind of like roses, kind of like poppies,
but uniquely Ranunculus. With this years new addition of blue,
these heavily petaled show-offs come in the whole spectrum of
colors. They grow to 24" high. Don't water them while dormant.
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Sprekelia - |
Native to Mexico, this Amaryllis family bulb has flowers that
look like huge crimson butterflies. Evergreen in most of Orange
County. Naturalizes.
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Sparaxis - |
One of South Africa's most colorful flowers. These 'Harlequin
Flowers' come in just about every color but true blue and grow
to 18" tall.
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Tigridia - |
Perhaps my favorite. You have to see these in person to appreciate
them. The grow to 2' tall and come in reds, whites, pinks and
yellows. Sometimes called Mexican Shell Flower for their unique
"tortoise shell" patterned centers. They have an extended blooming
season producing many flowers per plant.
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Triteleia - |
A California native and wonderful cutflower. Plant in clusters
and enjoy their flowers of blue that top 12" plants. Similar to
a miniature agapanthus. Naturalizes.
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Zephyranthes - |
These are also called Rain Lily, but you won't confuse them with
Nerine. The are short little guys rarely exceed 6". They shoot
out star shaped flowers of white, pink or yellow from grass like
foliage. They are vigorous little naturalizes.
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While these bulbs may never make the cover of Dutch specialty catalogs,
they perform much better than their cold weather sisters. Take a chance
on Mediterranean Bulbs, you won't be disappointed.
1/03
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