I have both kinds, the yellow and the orange. Those plants are absolute blooming machines from April thru Dec. However, I have never gotten them to bloom the 2nd year. Am I doing something wrong, or are these supposed to be treated like annuals? Foliage is great, just no flowers on year 2.
What is your experience?
Let's talk bulbine, shall we?
Last year was my first year, so I will watch this year. I sure hope they bloom, that would be a bummer if they were only a splash in the pan then gone!!
Mine bloom every year. Benign neglect, maybe? On my part, I mean. Other than watering when it's dry, I don't think I do much for it.
I love those little plants! This is my first year with them, hope they bloom more.
I got one at our plant swap here in SA last October...but I haven't planted it yet. And even in its pot, it has a bloom on it...but I'm wondering what will happen when I plant it in my new flowerbed. Are they invasive? My Mother's plant has really spread out.... :)
Melanie
My bulbine have bloomed most of the year for the years that I have had them. They have been blooming prolifically since the weather warmed up. I like them because they are evergreen and start blooming even during the winter months if it warms up some.They spread rapidly but they can be thinned easily and new ones came up from the seeds. This is one plant that will not let nutgrass come up because they are so thick that they block out the sunlight. They are not supposed to be treated as annuals. They need at least several hours morning sun and do better in full sun to bloom prolifically. I read a comment in its PlantFile entry that ain Florida Zone 8b-9a the plants were not blooming prolifically. The person thought that it was due to the high humidity in that location.
Tips:
Do not over water, especially in fall and winter.
Give enough room to spread.
Deadhead blooms as they fully dry to encourage new blooms. I cut them off with a large pair of scissors.
Do not fertilize unless the plants start turning a very, very light green. I have not fertilized mine.
If you have a sunny spot where nothing grows, plant it there.
Be sure to plant deep enough - the dirt should be almost even with the base of the leaves - otherwise the plant will topple over from its own weight. Also, this encourages rooting and spreading of the plant.
"Hallmark" (orange) is more compact than the yellow variety.
whose flower spikes tend to fall over in the wind. I like Hallmark best because it is "more tidy".
This message was edited Mar 26, 2007 9:02 AM
This is year two for mine.My orange bulbine has already starting to bloom this weekend. I was surprised because it really seemed to be affected by the frost and I trimmed a lot of brown tips off a few weeks ago.nancy
Hmmmm. Mine spent the winter in the gh. It's blooming now. Should I plant this in the ground? I had one once before and it froze. But it had no protection other than alot of mulch.
I planted mine last year and they bloomed. Thy started blooming again this year and have gone nuts! The yellow bloomed first and the tangerine are just starting to bloom. I have them in full sun.
mine died with that last frost we got. It managed to live through the ice storm
Hmmm. I think mine will stay in the pot.:)
I wonder if mine is more cold hardy. Or maybe Boerne got colder than the 20° we got!
ah yea! *g we got to about 16 (at least that is what the therm. outside the back door said)
At the nursery where I bought one once, they told me it helps to plant it in front of a rock wall or something that will collect the heat from the sun and provice wind protection.
Happy to report my bulbine has started blooming. I haven't removed the spent flower stalks from last fall, maybe I'll do that today.
Mine is doing quite nicely as well... :)
Melanie
I was just thinking the other day what a prolific winter bloomer my yellow bulbine has been. This is the second winter/spring, it never stopped blooming - even during all that freezing weather! My guess is that it thrives on my neglect. The only time it has ever seemed lethargic was when I tried to take care of it, lol.
(Hi Nery!)
Howdy dear lady! How are you, Ella gardening yet?
Lol, we're working on plant recognition right now. It's mostly made up of cradling different flowers with one hand while balancing her on my hip, and saying, "Flower, pretty flower!" Then there's the part where we run back inside for cover from the attacking mosquitoes - yikes!
When are you going to book a trip up here to The Republic? My garden is a shambles, but we'd love to entertain you.
:-)
Mary, I haven't "seen" you in ages! Are you going to the RU. The Happy Returns you gave me are doing great. The survived my hardy plant test with flying colors.lol
Mary Lee! Yes, I'll be at the RU, looking forward to seeing all you "long lost" friends (even though it was me who was lost, lol.) Now we know why they call them Happy Returns - you're awfully happy when they return!
Yes indeedy Mary, I am! I neglected them terribly, but I guess they forgave me. If they are going to be this hardy, I'm definitely going to collect more of them.
Hey Vossner..I have the orange, yellow and the orange/yellow...that was going to be my question was is yours getting enough sun?!?!..Jeanne
I'm frustrated with Bulbine. I'm in Arlington TX (DFW area), and despite being in the northern part of the state (with occasional freezes) can grow various tropicals, including succulents like certain Aloe species, outside. I've seen Bulbine in the wild in Africa at near-freezing temps. Our front yard has sandy soil and a southern exposure, and Bulbine does well until winter, then doesn't come back even if protected with mulch (or grown in a container and brought into the house). Can anyone suggest any tricks or general maintenance ideas?
howdy jeanne. I think I have the yellow/orange. In answer to your ?, mine does get less than full sun, but it is in the patio by the pool so I do think it gets a required min.
viridis, I have lost a couple and I concluded overwatering was the cause. Benign neglect has worked best for me. try that.
as Hazel indicated, give it room to grow. Mine is potted and I made it a point to leave pot half full for best performance. It worked for me.
Mine are getting alotta sun..they are succulents and like good drainage...Jeanne
Have ya'll seen the new 'Shorty'? It is yellow & only gets about 6-8" tall!
Be sure & hide it fr the deer, also!!!
This message was edited Apr 16, 2007 4:56 PM
Smockette, where have you seen "Shorty"? Are you guys growing it (and supplying it locally)? I love my yellow, would love to have some more in the yard, but a smaller plant would be ideal.
me too, me too re:mini bulbine. Hi Granny, how's Ella? miss ya
Hey Nery!! Ella got her first tooth Monday, and i got to be the one who discovered it! (I'll be sure to post a picture for you later, lol.)
Hey, I miss you, too. Are you going to the RU this weekend?
nope, big party at Chamblees in Tyler on the same date.
Ohhhh....Chamblees? I'm on the waiting list for the Peggy Martin Rose through them. Happy place.
peggy martin is M A G N I F I C E N T
Do you have one? I can't wait! Come on September!!!!!
I see Petals from The Past has the Peggy Martin rose available now...Jeanne
yes I do. when the great flood is over, I will try to take a pic. I'll have to ck Petals from the Past. Don't know that nursery. P Martin reminds me a lot of Climbing Pinkie, but a brighter pink.
Oooohhh....where is Petals from the Past? Sounds like a new adventure for me.
Can't wait to see your picture, Vossner.
Alabama..and they got their horticulture degrees from Texas A&M!!..Jeanne
http://petalsfromthepast.com/
this is such a small world. I went to undergrad school at U of AL in Tuscaloosa and the biggest treat in life, back then, was to go Smokey Hollow Restaurant which is shown on the map they have in Visit Us section. Very special ocassions, usually where to go on the Saturdays when the Crimson Tide played in Birmingham. Ahhh, those were the days!
Back then, the most imp. thing was the scoop on the next party, roses were none of my concern.
Should my DM ever read this, 2nd paragraph should really read
Back then, the most imp. thing was how to "ace" the next school assignment and keep up w/ library hours.....
Don't know where we got it but we are growing it as fast as we can!!! :~)