Bulbs brighten the garden in fall

Hi, everyone--

I just received this announcement from WFF with bulb bloom ideas for the fall garden and I thought I would pass it along.

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/images/wff1-8-01-06for6F739.htm?utm_source=2536MB&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2006+08+01

I am always looking for ways to extend the bloom season, and I often overlook these--and I have never tried the fall blooming crocus--has anyone else?

Colchicums are lovely and I'm going to try some this year. I think. Thanks for the reminder!

The Lycoris (naked ladies) are something I already have, but they need moved because they're not visible where they are now. I hate to move them though, as I understand they pout and won't bloom for a year or two after moving.

Colchicums always seem so exotic (and expensive) to me. I wonder if they rabbits like them?

I like the idea of these 'sternbergias' with my reblooming purple iris in october, but I don't know a thing about them and the idea could just be a pipe dream. They mention that the critters don't like them which is a big plus for me!

http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/940194-product.html?utm_source=12MB&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2006+08+01

They would be pretty with salvia too. I wonder when you have to get them into the ground?

We have the fall blooming crocus. I think my DH put in somewhere that I don't see it, because I'm only taking his word for it. But he likes it and enjoys it.

xxxxx, Carrie

Sternbergia are worth the cost/wait. Those evergreen-amaryllis-leaves are so fun all winter.

Mmmmm....I did a little more research and B & B ships theirs in June and says plant 'right away'. Sounds like they are difficult to get started and some say it may be too cold here in Zone 6. WFF says it's hardy in 6, though.

Any hands on experience with Sternbergias?

I planted two types of Colchicums last year in mid-Sept using a pepper mix to prevent squirrel digging -- Kotschyanus (pink) and Speciosus (purple).

The Speciosus flowered in Oct a very delicate shade of purple that looked pinkish in direct sunlight (see picture). The ever present squirrels would occasionally paw the flowers but not eat them so they held up pretty well. In the spring they sent up leaves and seed sacs.

The Kotschyanus did not flower but sent up leaves in the spring. So I'm hopeful for flowers this fall.

I planted Waterlily Colchicums last fall by my shade garden bird bath and they bloomed just as promised. Looked lovely. However, I wasn't prepared for the huge, ugly leaves that came up this spring, displayed in a so prominent location. And I do mean ugly. I was so tempted to just rip them out every time I walked by. They did disappear altogether sometime in June, but it seemed like a long wait. My point is, be careful where you put theses guys. I'm going to move them after flowering this fall, so I don't have the same problem next spring. Instead, I think I'll try a few fall crocus there and also maybe a few crocus and some species tulips for spring.

Yes, Colchicums have ugly leaves. I had to plant mine infront of other plants or the blossoms would be hidden from view. Their leaves were the reason I did not add any in my garden for years. But every fall, I would long for more, so I added some 'Giant' and 'Waterlily' last fall. It was painful to watch the leaves this spring. It's a good thing I was away for a whole month from mid June thru mid July. LOL. Rabbits don't bother them, but squirrels bit off new shoots no matter what. I hate squirrels!


Crocus speciosus is long lived in my garden. Very pretty peeking through fallen leaves. They are most beautiful in the slant fall sunlight.

This Colchicum was planted nearly 12 years ago. I can't remember the name anymore:

Sterbergia are easy; they are just more apt to bloom the first year and establish faster if planted sooner, tabasco. One of those leave-alone sort of plants.
K

Piti: yours look like Colchicum Ciclicum. After 12 years, have they multiplied well?

t, I think the toxicity of Colchicum makes them unattractive to critters, so they sound like a good choice for you. I've been longing to grow them for years, but the expense has always kept me from ordering. Hmmm.....could be a good choice for getting a quantity discount on a little coop.

Thanks for the ID, beaker. The Colchicum did not multiply at all. Seems to just stand still. I planted several kinds together. Only these come through and bloom over the years.

A neighbor has another variety that multiplies like rabbits. I managed to snag a few from him this spring. I'll see if they will multiply in my garden.

Yes, I'm procrastinating about the Colchicum, too.

A little pricey and I don't have a 'special enough' spot for them right now.