I went out to the garage/garden storage area this morning with a long list of chores that needed to be done. One of the chores was to divide and repot some Oxblood lillies (Rhodophiala bifida) that had been in a pot that had a large clump of Johnson grass in it (in my opinion another spawn of the devil!). I had moved the pot into the garage about 2 weeks ago to fry and deprive the grass into death (the lillies can well handle dry conditions now--dormant). I thought I would have to break the 12" by 12" clay pot to get them out but luckily pot didn't break when I THREW it onto the lawn while standing atop a chair. The soil came out resembling concrete (these bulbs were given to me--about 5--20 years ago when I first started teaching by a fellow teacher--who bought a house from a very aged lady and they were in her yard in Montrose). As I sat in the grass; the dirt began to crumble and I was amazed to find 77 (good sized too-most 2 inches in diameter) bulbs in that pot! They were under each other, over each other, etc and have been spectacularly blooming each fall around labor day. I thought maybe they were only about 15 bulbs in there!
Needless to say, I now have THREE larger clay pots full of these wonderful heirloom bulbs. I knew they prefered a bit of crowding but mercy! I hope they do as well for me this year. I love fall gardening in Texas..just about as close to heaven as you can get! The garden never ceases to amaze me! Does anyone else grow these wonderful heirlooms? I read somewhere they are a German-Texas heirloom plant frequent around Central Texas.
Debbie
Oxblood Lily Amazement!
Debbie, Yes I have many of those and they are joy to behold in the fall popping out of the bare soil with no foliage whatsoever. I have a thick row of them in a flower bed, and they really make a display, I love red.
They were given to me too, 30 years ago, by a lady named Mrs. Bickley who had a very old farm in our neiborhood..
May be we can share pictures during blooming time, I do that with two or three other people that I have given bulbs to.
Josephine.
Sure will frostweed..you can bet I will be out there daily checking on their progress!
Dmj218,
You do see them lot around here especially around old farm houses. They are lovely.
I planted bulbs last year and am hoping that they will come up for me. I hope nothing has happened to them. They were very expensive.
These sound wonderful, what a prize at the end of a long hot summer! What do you plant around them that doesn't interfere with them, but that keeps that area of the bed from looking empty?
Mary, I just have a narrow strip at thre front of the bed, about 8 inches wide, and behind that I have Texas star hibiscus, frost weed, and nandinas behind those right up to the house, and it works really well. If you would like some bulbs I will save some for you this fall.
Hazel, if yours don't survive, I will be glad to save some for you also.
Josephine.
I leave mine in pots just because I'm afraid they will get too much water in the summer as I water things around them. Is this something I should be concerned with? Also I can put the pots in a prominent place to look at them out the window while they bloom!
Mine get watered right along with everything else and there is no problem.
Of course if you want them up close to admire them that is another story.
Just enjoy them the best way that works for you.
Josephine.
Josephine, thanks, I would love some bulbs!
frostweed, thanks. I will let you know if mine don't come up.
I look forward to hearing from you Hazel.
How are the plants that lost their shade coming along? Did you put up the shade cloth, and did it help. That was such an unfortunate turn of events.
Josephine.
Hello Everyone, the Oxblood Lilies have arrived in Arlington.
How about yours?
By the way Hazel, and Veronica, the offer of bulbs still stands, if yours didn't work out.
Here is a lovely picture.
Josephine.
This message was edited Sep 13, 2005 6:02 PM
frostweed, how pretty. about how many bulbs do you think are in that clump? I heard this bulb multiplies quickly. what is your experience?
Still waiting on mine! Kinda behind this year!
I would say seven or eight, and yes, they do multiply fast.
They are allways such a lovely surprise, every time they come they remind me of the kind lady who gave them to me.
Such a nice tradition.
mine bloomed beautifully and still blooming. I was kinda of ashamed because I treated them very badly and they still performed beautifully, unlike those darned peacock gingers, grrrr
Josephine,
I'd love to take you up on your offer. Thank you. Let me know what the postage is. I have some of the Hoptree seed I need to send you. Next time I go into town.
Nery,
My variegated Eureka Lemon has some more new growth on it.
Veronica
yipee
Veronica, I will get a package out to you this Fall, with the bulbs and the seeds that I promised you but have not delivered yet, that way , I can do it all at once.
Josephine.