Who has the best bulbs?- especially for the south

I've searched Garden Watchdog's reviews and seen several companies with good reps. Is there anyone here who has ordered from several different nurseries and would offer a recommendation for the best bulbs/best value? I've read that bigger is better but I've also read that in a year or two, smaller bulbs will catch up and can be a better value. I live in the south and I'm lazy, so it has to be something that will be able to stay in the ground year round.

If you have any input re: special considerations for the south, I'm all ears. I suspect that bulbs coming from Michigan etc may come out of dormancy at the wrong time. Is that correct? Is there an advantage to buying from a nursery in the south?

I'm a newbie at bulbs and would like to have the best chance of success. I planted about 50 bulbs last summer and only 1 cyclamen and 1 toad lily came up. Some of the bulbs seemed a bit small and a bit soft though not mushy. I'm hoping the leucojem will come up this spring but I have squirrels and there are several suspicious holes near my plant label stakes. So I'm not sure if it's timing, the bulbs, my skill (or lack thereof), or the squirrels.

TIA,

Maggie

Maggie, are there particular bulbs you have in mind? You have lots of tropical and tender bulb options in your zone. Buried Treasures and Easy to grow Bulbs have good reputations and specialize in good plants for your area. Brent&Becky's offers a wide variety too.

I totally second Gemini's recommendations, and in that order.

there is also willow creek gardens that is similar to easy to grow.........same parent company. i got excellent bulbs from them.

barb, I forgot about willowcreek. good suggestion too!

Van Engelen. :-)

For spring blooming bulbs, Old House Gardens, hands down....they specialize in and offer more bulbs adapted to the south than anyone I have seen, and they have loads of information especially relevant to southern gardeners. I love them and have been purchasing bulbs from them for several years. Their bulbs have done very well for me...and many of their bulbs are grown in states like Texas, Georgia and California....and they tell you what will grow in Florida vs maybe the upper south, which have very different conditions. Most other spring bulb providers get theirs from Holland or the UK, which are as different from the American south as you can get. And, you'll get individualized attention from OHG that I have not seen anyone else offer if you do seek help. If you think about it, most of the suppliers are located in northern states.

I agree that "Easy to Grow Bulbs" is a great site for spring/summer bloomers. I got some Callas from them that were out of this world when they bloomed.

Good luck!

Have you thought about planting Caladiums? I know someone who has some outstanding bulbs....lolol...

I'm sorry, I have plenty of Caladiums, I dig them up and put them by the mailbox with a "free" sign. Very nice of you to offer though.;-)

I did look at OHG, American Meadows (%50) sale right now- wide selection , hard to resist, and Buggy Crazy. would love to do AM- am especially interested in Lillies & Butterfly gladiolis, freesias, tuberose.


Maggie